Insight to Innovation: An Overview of Research Journey of Dr. Satish Kandlikar

Abstract

Having published some of the most widely cited publications over the last 30 years, Professor Satish G. Kandlikar has been among the most prominent researcher in the field of heat transfer. Throughout these years, he has coauthored over 200 journal paper in various areas of heat transfer. This paper provides a comprehensive look at Professor Kandlikar's research work over the years. The research work has been broadly categorized into (1) flow boiling correlations, (2) fluid flow and heat transfer in microchannels, (3) roughness effect at microscale, (4) pool boiling heat transfer and critical heat flux modeling, (5) surface enhancements for pool boiling, (6) numerical modeling of bubble growth in boiling, (7) water transport in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, and (8) infrared imaging to detect breast cancer. The research conducted in each of these areas has produced some landmark findings, some of the most widely used theoretical models and an abundance of high-quality experimental data. The focus of this paper is to collate major finding and highlights some of the common themes that guided the research in Professor Kandlikar's group. This will help the readers gain a broad understanding of each of the areas of study in Professor Kandlikar's group and place the findings of the papers in a larger context.