Matthias Zimmermann

Bio: Matthias Zimmermann is an academic researcher from Technische Universität Darmstadt. The author has contributed to research in topics: Boiling & Nucleate boiling. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 3 publications receiving 24 citations.

Influence of System Pressure on Pool Boiling Regimes on a Microstructured Surface Compared to a Smooth Surface

Abstract: This study focuses on the influence of the system pressure on pool boiling regimes on a microstructured surface compared to a smooth surface. The microstructured surface consists of copper wires wi...

Experimental Investigation of Single Bubble Nucleate Boiling in Microgravity

Abstract: The multiscale boiling project, also known as RUBI, is an experimental project supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) focusing on the nucleate boiling within the framework of the utilization of the International Space Station (ISS). In order to investigate the operational behavior of the experimental components and determine a promising parameter range, an experimental setup with the same heater design is constructed and tested within the similar parameter range in the framework of the ESA 70th parabolic flight campaign. The present work introduces the experimental setup as well as the measurement methodologies. It concentrates on the results obtained for the nucleate boiling in the absence of external forces such as electric field or shear flow, which are also part of the multiscale boiling project. A barium fluoride glass sputtered with chromium on the top of a chromium nitride layer served as the heater. The manufacturing process of the heater substrate is presented in detail. In order to generate a vapor bubble in the subcooled liquid pool, a laser beam is used to provide the necessary heat at an artificial nucleation site situated at the center of the glass. The experimental setup allows for time adjustment between switch-on of the heater and shooting the laser which is defined as preheating time. The effect of the preheating time on the nucleation and behavior of the bubbles is investigated. Furthermore, by selecting a long laser pulse duration the influence of the laser thermal energy on the growth of the bubbles is studied. It is observed that the preheating time has a significant effect on the bubble growth. However, no influence of the laser shot is detected on the bubble growth, even for a long pulse duration.

Switchable imbibition in nanoporous gold

Abstract: Spontaneous imbibition enables the elegant propelling of nano-flows because of the dominance of capillarity at small length scales. The imbibition kinetics are, however, solely determined by the static host geometry, the capillarity, and the fluidity of the imbibed liquid. This makes active control particularly challenging. Here we show for aqueous electrolyte imbibition in nanoporous gold that the fluid flow can be reversibly switched on and off through electric potential control of the solid–liquid interfacial tension, that is, we can accelerate the imbibition front, stop it, and have it proceed at will. Simultaneous measurements of the mass flux and the electrical current allow us to document simple scaling laws for the imbibition kinetics, and to explore the charge transport in the metallic nanopores. Our findings demonstrate that the high electric conductivity along with the pathways for fluid/ionic transport render nanoporous gold a versatile, accurately controllable electrocapillary pump and flow sensor for minute amounts of liquids with exceptionally low operating voltages.

A Critical Review of Membrane Wettability in Membrane Distillation from the Perspective of Interfacial Interactions

Abstract: Hydrophobic membranes used in membrane distillation (MD) systems are often subject to wetting during long-term operation. Thus, it is of great importance to fully understand factors that influence the wettability of hydrophobic membranes and their impact on the overall separation efficiency that can be achieved in MD systems. This Critical Review summarizes both fundamental and applied aspects of membrane wetting with particular emphasis on interfacial interaction between the membrane and solutes in the feed solution. First, the theoretical background of surface wetting, including the relationship between wettability and interfacial interaction, definition and measurement of contact angle, surface tension, surface free energy, adhesion force, and liquid entry pressure, is described. Second, the nature of wettability, membrane wetting mechanisms, influence of membrane properties, feed characteristics and operating conditions on membrane wetting, and evolution of membrane wetting are reviewed in the context of an MD process. Third, specific membrane features that increase resistance to wetting (e.g., superhydrophobic, omniphobic, and Janus membranes) are discussed briefly followed by the comparison of various cleaning approaches to restore membrane hydrophobicity. Finally, challenges with the prevention of membrane wetting are summarized, and future work is proposed to improve the use of MD technology in a variety of applications.

Hydrophobicity at small and large length scales

Abstract: We develop a unified and generally applicable theory of solvation of small and large apolar species in water. In the former, hydrogen bonding of water is hindered yet persists near the solutes. In the latter, hydrogen bonding is depleted, leading to drying of extended apolar surfaces, large forces of attraction, and hysteresis on mesoscopic length scales. The crossover occurs on nanometer length scales, when the local concentration of apolar units is sufficiently high, or when an apolar surface is sufficiently large. Our theory for the crossover has implications concerning the stability of protein assemblies and protein folding.

Experimental and semi-analytical investigation of heat transfer in nucleate pool boiling by considering surface structuring methods

Abstract: Pool boiling is the process in which the heating surface is submerged in a large body of stagnant liquid. In the present work, heat transfer in nucleate pool boiling is modeled both experimentally ...