ARTICLE:

• MOLECULAR DYNAMICS IN MICROSCALE THERMOPHYSICAL ENGINEERING  download article

Fu-Chu Chou
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Central University, Chung-Li, Taiwan 320 Republic of China

Jennifer R. Lukes
University of Pennsylvania, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, 222 Towne Building, 220 S 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6315

Xin-Gang Liang
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California Berkeley, CA 94720-1740

Koji Takahashi
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-1740

Chang-Lin Tien
NEC Distinguished Professor of Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California

ABSTRACT

Because of rapid developments in computer speed and memory over the last 2 decades, the field of molecular dynamics (MD) has experienced explosive growth. The molecular basis and computationally intensive nature of the MD technique render it particularly effective for modeling systems of limited size and for studying short time scale phenomena. This paper presents a critical review of recent MD developments in microscale thermophysical engineering. Existing works on thermal conductivity, radiation-related manufacturing, thermal convection, and other short length and time scale studies are evaluated in detail. Limitations of MD and prospects for future development are also assessed. It is found that MD is well suited to study microscale topics such as thermophysical properties of complex microstructures, thermal convection with size effects, and ultra-short pulse laser melting.

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141-176 pages

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