The field of nanofluid dynamics continues to evolve, driven by the need for enhanced thermal management, energy harvesting and biomedical applications. This special section presents seven cutting-edge studies that leverage computational techniques to explore the fundamental and applied aspects of nanofluid behaviour in various engineering and medical contexts. These contributions offer novel insights into heat transfer enhancement, entropy generation, hydromagnetic effects and biomedical fluid mechanics, demonstrating the potential of computational tools in addressing complex thermal and fluidic challenges.
The first paper, Constraint-based analysis of heat transport and irreversibility in magnetic nanofluidic thermal systems, investigates the thermal performance of equivalent square and circular geometries in magnetohydrodynamic nanofluid flow. The study demonstrates that circular configurations outperform their square counterparts, achieving up to 14% improvement in heat transfer. Moreover, it highlights the influence of Rayleigh (Ra) and Hartmann (Ha) numbers on entropy production, with minimal effect observed from the magnetic field orientation. These findings have direct implications for optimising thermal system designs in magnetic nanofluid applications.
The second paper, Buoyancy-driven heat transfer and entropy analysis of a hydromagnetic GO-Fe3O4/H2O hybrid nanofluid in an energy storage enclosure partially filled with a non-Darcy porous medium under an oblique magnetic field, explores the role of hybrid nanofluids (HNF) in natural convection within energy storage enclosures. The study highlights the impact of hybrid nanoparticles in enhancing heat transfer within the system. This study underscores the relevance of HNF in thermal energy storage applications, particularly in renewable energy systems.
In Comparative analysis of buoyancy-driven hydromagnetic flow and heat transfer in a partially heated square enclosure using Cu-Fe3O4 and MoS2-Fe3O4 nanofluids, the authors analyse entropy generation and heat transfer in an enclosure subjected to a magnetic field. The findings indicate that partially heated corners are crucial for optimising thermal performance, offering potential improvements in industrial applications such as chemical processing, energy production and heat recovery. The study provides a comparative assessment of HNF, contributing to the ongoing efforts to refine convection-based heat transfer mechanisms.
The fourth paper, Nanofluid effect on dual-flow parabolic trough collector (PTC) performance accompanied by passive techniques using experimental data, examines the impact of passive heat transfer techniques, including twisted tapes and corrugated surfaces, on PTC performance. The results indicate that a combination of dual-flow heat transfer, absorber roof modifications and nanoparticle-enhanced fluids yields superior thermal efficiency. With a Nusselt number ratio reaching 5 and a performance evaluation criteria index exceeding 2.5, this research provides critical insights into optimising solar thermal energy systems.
Addressing the need for efficient heat exchangers, Thermo-hydraulic performance of air heat exchanger using prepared Ternary HNF: A CFD Analysis investigates the influence of ternary HNF on heat exchanger performance. This numerical study evaluates various factors, including pressure drop, sensitivity, heat transfer and friction, comparing flat and staggered circular tube configurations. The research highlights the limited availability of studies on flat tube heat exchangers using nanofluids for both internal and external flow, thereby advancing knowledge in thermal-hydraulic optimisation.
Beyond energy applications, nanofluid research extends to biomedical engineering, as demonstrated in Two-phase analysis of blood in microchannel architecture on plasma separation ability with dimensional variance. This study explores the effects of varying inlet channel angles in a microfluidic system designed for blood plasma separation. By analysing hematocrit levels across different flow rates, the research paves the way for improved diagnostic devices capable of separating blood constituents efficiently, thus enhancing disease detection and medical testing capabilities.
Finally, Investigation of temperature jump, first- and second-order velocity slip effects on blood-based ternary nanofluid flow in convergent/divergent channels examines the unique thermophysical properties of blood-based ternary nanofluids for biomedical applications. The study investigates velocity slip and temperature jump effects, with a focus on cancer heat therapy and targeted drug delivery. By analysing shape factor influences on fluid flow in converging-diverging channels, the research provides valuable insights for biomedical nanofluid dynamics and personalised medicine.
Together, these seven papers underscore the growing significance of computational techniques in advancing nanofluid research across diverse domains. From optimising thermal energy systems to enhancing biomedical fluid mechanics, the findings presented in this special section contribute to the broader goal of improving efficiency, sustainability and medical diagnostics through innovative nanofluid applications. We hope that these studies inspire further interdisciplinary research and foster new technological developments in this rapidly evolving field.
This paper forms part of a special section “Computational insights in nanofluid dynamics: energy harvesting, thermal management, and biomedical applications”, guest edited by R.S. Ransing.
