Insights on the Ongoing Project VISIONS: Evolutionary Design of Innovative Heat Transfer Devices

VISIONS (eVolutIonary deSign for Innovative heat traNsfer deviceS) is a research project focused on developing high-performance thermal systems by integrating topology optimization (TO) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD), based on the principles of evolutionary design as described by the constructal law. This approach enables the creation of free-form, highly efficient thermal architectures inspired by nature, while ensuring manufacturability via additive manufacturing (AM). The project targets two key applications: advanced electronic cooling and latent thermal energy storage. For electronic cooling, the goal is to prevent local overheating and ensure temperature uniformity, which is essential for the reliability and longevity of electronic devices. For thermal energy storage, the focus is on improving the energy density and responsiveness of phase change materials (PCMs) that can be integrated with intermittent renewable energy sources to improve system dispatchability. The methodology begins with CFD-based thermal characterization of PCMs, followed by the application of TO strategies to optimize geometries, often mathematically parameterized. These designs are evaluated for thermal conductance, stability, and integration of advanced materials. By combining PCMs with the TO+CFD framework, significant improvements in both performance and sustainability are achieved. The final phase will involve AM-based prototyping of two devices: a PCM-enhanced heat sink for electronics and a latent heat thermal energy storage. VISIONS aims to promote sustainable energy use by advancing energy-efficient thermal management in electronics and optimizing thermal storage in renewable energy systems, contributing to the broader goals of energy transition and climate neutrality. The project is still ongoing and continues to research and develop to achieve the goals set.