抄録
Research over the past three decades in understanding micro ⁄ nanoscale heat transfer phenomena and mechanisms has significantly broadened our knowledge base and created larger intersections with other disciplines. This paper gives a high level reflection of the increased intersections of heat transfer with other disciplines through some examples of progress made in micro ⁄ nanoscale heat transfer research. At the fundamental level, we witnessed the blurring of the boundaries among heat transfer, physics and chemistry. New insights on heat transfer mechanisms led to opportunities in developing materials for heat transfer and energy applications such as high thermal conductivity plastics and improved thermoelectric energy conversion materials. Great opportunities exist in taking the fundamental understandings and advanced materials to develop innovative systems.
