Sophie Wang

Sophie Wang
Sophie Wang
  • Research Associate Professor
(217) 265-9232
3013 Mechanical Engineering Lab

Education

  • Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 2012
  • M.S. Engineering Thermophysics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 2007
  • B.S. Control Engineering, Chang'an University, 2003

Academic Positions

  • Research Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Aug. 2021-date
  • Research Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Aug. 2015-Aug.2021
  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Jun. 2012-Aug. 2015
  • Visiting Scholar, Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Dec. 2009-Nov. 2011
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Computer and Information Engineering, HeNan University, July 2003-July 2005

Research Statement

Professor Wang conducts research in heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and thermodynamics, with energy system applications, focused on single-phase and two-phase convection, phase change, heat transfer enhancement, systems, controls, diagnostics, and energy conversion efficiency. Her research has a scientific basis in the fundamentals of thermophysics and mathematics, with a deep appreciation of applications in energy generation and use. The overarching aim of her research program is to achieve a sustainable energy future.

Research Interests

  • Heat, mass, and momentum transport in multiphase flows for thermal desalination, scale crystallization and antifouling surfaces.
  • Increasing energy efficiency (COP) of air-conditioning & refrigeration systems through improved component and system control, performance optimization, and new cycles.
  • Fundamentals and application of fluid mechanics and thermal science in energy systems, including renewable energy, energy conversion, and power generation.

Research Areas

  • Dynamics & Controls
  • Energy
  • Environment
  • Fluid Mechanics
  • Manufacturing
  • Thermo and Heat Transfer
  • Transportation

Chapters in Books

Selected Articles in Journals

Articles in Conference Proceedings

  • Zaman, M.A.; Jin, H.; Joy, T.I.; Wang, S; Nawaz, K. "Surface with Wettability Gradient- A Novel Approach for Fouling Control " ASME Summer Heat Transfer Conference, Washington DC, July, 2023.
  • Kotb, A., S. Wang, "Effect of Metal Foam Integration on The Thermal Regulation Performance of Salt Hydrate-Based Heat Sink" 19th International Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Conference at Purdue, West Lafayette, IN, USA, July 10-14, 2022
  • Zou, H., Jin, H., S. Wang, "Analysis of Droplet Motion – Sliding On and Detaching From a Vertical Surface", 19th International Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Conference at Purdue, West Lafayette, IN, USA, July 10-14, 2022
  • Sandlin, M., K. Nawaz, A.M. Jacobi, and X. Wang, "Numerical Study of Heat Transfer Enhancement in Laminar and Turbulent Flow in Enhanced Tubes with Uniform and Non-uniform Thermal Boundary Conditions," Proceedings of the Thermal and Fluids Engineering Summer Conference, 2020, April, pp. 445–454, April, 2020.
  • Jin, H., W. Ni, and S. Wang, "Experimental Study of Refrigerant (R134a) Condensate Retention on Paraffin Coated Plates and Fin Structures," ASME Summer Heat Transfer Conference, HT2019-350, Bellevue, WA, July, 2019.
  • Boyina, K. S., N. V. Upot, J. Mayer, S. Chavan, K. F. Rabbi, T. Foulkes, X. Wang, N. Miljkovic, "Anti-Icing Meter Scale Superhydrophobic Heat Exchangers," Proceedings of the 6th Micro and Nano Flows Conference, MNF2018 (Session 1B: Heat Exchangers and Reactors), Atlanta, GA, September 9-12, 2018.
  • Shen, Y., and X. Wang, "Frost Growth Detection Using Capacitive Sensor," 17th International Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Conference at Purdue, 2272: 1-8, West Lafayette, IN, USA, July 9-12, 2018.
  • Shen, Y., Y. Zhang, and X. Wang, "Frost Porosity Measurement Using Capacitive Sensor," 17th International Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Conference at Purdue, 2468: 1-8, West Lafayette, IN, USA, July 9-12, 2018.
  • Jin, H., Y. Shen, W. Ni, and X. Wang, "Experimental Study of Condensation Heat Transfer of R134a on Oil-infusion Surfaces", 17th International Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Conference at Purdue, 2274: 1-7, West Lafayette, IN, USA, July 9-12, 2018.
  • Boyina, K.S., K.F. Rabbi, W. Su, A. Thamban, N. Miljkovic, and X. Wang, "Dynamics of Frost Growth on Vertical Superhydrophobic Surfaces," 17th International Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Conference at Purdue, 2408: 1-10, West Lafayette , IN, USA, July 9-12, 2018.
  • Wang, X., L. Wang, and R. Yu, "Dynamic Contact Angle on a Surface with Gradient in Wettability," 16th International Refrigerant and Air Conditioning Conference at Purdue, 2595: 1-9, West Lafayette, IN, USA, July 11-14, 2016.
  • Wang, X., T. Ke, and P.S. Hrnjak, "Effect of Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) on the Performance of an Evaporator," Proceedings of the 15th International Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Conference at Purdue, 2585: 1-5, West Lafayette, IN, USA, July 14-17, 2014.
  • Wang, X. and A. Jacobi, "A Thermodynamic Basis for Predicting Falling-film Mode Transitions," Proceedings of the 14th International Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Conference at Purdue, 2488: 1-10, West Lafayette, IN, USA, July 16-19, 2012.
  • Wang, X., S. Elbel, P.S. Hrnjak, A.M. Jacobi, and M.G. He, "Heat Transfer Performance for a Falling-film on Horizontal Flat Tubes," ASME 2011 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, IMECE2011-63970, Denver, CO, USA, Nov. 12-16, 2011.
  • Wang, X., P.S. Hrnjak, S. Elbel, A. Jacobi, and M. He, "Flow Patterns and Mode Transitions for Falling Film on Flat Tubes," Proceedings of the 13th International Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Conference at Purdue, 2461: 1-8, West Lafayette, IN, USA, July 10-15, 2010.
  • Wang, X., M.G. He, H. Fan, and Y. Zhang, "Measurement of Falling Film Thickness Around a Horizontal Tube Using a Laser-induced Fluorescence Technique," Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium on Measurement Techniques for Multiphase Flows, 1: 377-384, Naha, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 15-17, 2008.

Professional Societies

  • Member, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), 2011-date
  • Member, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), 2009-date

Recent Courses Taught

  • ME 504 - Multiphase Systems & Processes
  • ME 521 - Convective Heat Transfer

Related News