Lindong Li and Yuting Chen, graduates from Mechanical Engineering in this July, had their research published in the journal ‘International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer’, in collaboration with their supervisors, Dr Yue Chan, Dr Liang Xia and Dr Yong Ren, who are from the School of Mathematical Sciences, the Department of Architecture and Built Environment, and the Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing engineering respectively. It is truly a multi-disciplinary research comprising staffs and students across three departments. Some of their final year projects have also contributed to the research.
The paper, titled ‘A coupled velocity and temperature problem of the extruded spinning column in a micro-extrusion’, adopts both computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and applied mathematical modelling to tackle a phase change problem arising in micro-extrusion. In this paper, they analytically deduce the velocity and stress profiles for different stages during the micro-extrusion process. CFD have also been performed to validate the assumptions made in the current mathematical model. It is found that the velocity profile alters from certain quadratic flows into linear flows when the moving boundary retreats, whereas the surface stress alters from shear stress into the principal stress on the outer-shell accordingly. In conjunction with the centrifugal force induced by the spinning fluid acting on the shell, these provide crucial factors for ensuring extruded products in their highest quality.
Dr Chan explained that in recent years, increasing attentions have been paid on micro manufactures. It has been found effective to use micro-extrusion technology to produce products such as interventional catheter, micro fibre, micro gear, drug carrier, which are widely used in the health care, telecommunication, transportation, and other industries. This publication provides vital physical and mechanical information for the micro-extrusion process, which is crucial to fabricate better micro-products.
“We are impressed by the quality and the persistence of our final year’s students. Both students worked extremely hard and intellectually throughout their final year project. We would like to take this opportunity to thanks them and hope that this great news could inspire our existing/coming undergraduate students to achieve excellent learning and research in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, UNNC.” he said.
"The final year individual project of Mechanical Engineering provides an opportunity for undergraduates to carry out research they are interested in, laying solid foundation and boosting their confidence for postgraduate study as well as future career development in academic or industry." said Dr Yong Ren.
Yuting Chen will continue her master degree in business school at UNNC, she said: “My final year project gives me a chance to work with computational fluid dynamics (CFD). I use several CFD models to simulate a real-life situation, which is very interesting. I always have a dream to create something new, and this exciting final year project paves the way to simulate a real physical problem so as to disclose its intrinsic properties. The project enables me to know how to prepare dissertations, presentations and posters. More importantly, I start to enjoy doing research, and realize that proper preparation will make me more confident to learn!”
Lindong Li will undertake a master study in The University of Melbourne. He said of his time at UNNC: “UNNC helps me understand if you have a dream, you need to sacrifice a lot to achieve it. Persistence is the only way to success, and I will never forget the guidance from my teachers and classmates. Fight for your future!”
‘International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer’ is a premier SCI journal in the realm of heat and mass transfer.