Sophie Wang

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.

Chapters in Books

• Xiaofei Wang, Md Ashiqur Rahman, Anthony Jacobi, "Chapter 5: Wetting on Anisotropic Surfaces" - Encyclopedia of Two-Phase Heat Transfer and Flow IV, (2018), pp:265-291.

Selected Articles in Journals

• M. Zaman, S. Wang, "Experimental Investigation of Surface Roughness /Wettability Pattern Effect on Crystallization Fouling over Falling-Film Flow " Desalination, 575:117324, 2024
• H. Jin, A. Kalle, Y Zhang, S. Wang, "Effect of Wettability Gradient on the Scale Formation in Falling Film Flow " ASME Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 146 (4): 041602,2024
• Y. Shen, H. Zou, S. Wang, "Detection of Frost Growth and Distribution on Microchannel Heat Exchanger Using Capacitance Sensing Approach" International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 217:124650,2023
• H. Jin, H. Athreyaa, A. Kalle, S. Wang, , K. Nawaz,"CFD Modeling of Crystallization Fouling with CO2 Desorption Incorporated for Falling-film Evaporator in Thermal Desalination", Desalination, 553:116456, 2023
• Shahane, S., Shen, Y., Wang, S., "Numerical Simulations of Frost Growth Using Mixture Model on Surfaces with Different Wettability", Numerical Heat Transfer, Part A: Applications, 84 (12) : 1494-1517, 2023.
• Shahane, S., Jin, H., Wang, S., Nawaz, K., "Numerical modeling based machine learning approach for the optimization of falling - film evaporator in thermal desalination application", International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 196:123223,2022.
• Jin, H., Athreyaa, H., Wang, S., Nawaz, K., "Experimental study of crystallization fouling by calcium carbonate: Effects of surface structure and material " Desalination, 532:115754,2022.
• Dai, Z., Y. Zhang, S. Wang, K. Nawaz, and A.M. Jacobi, "Falling-film Heat Exchangers used in Desalination Systems: A Review", International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 185:122407,2022
• Zhang, Y., Wang, S., "Enhanced Critical Heat Flux of Pool Boiling by Vapor Management " Applied Thermal Engineering, 205:117925,2022
• Koszut, J., Boyina, K., Popovic, G., Carpenter, J., Wang, S., Miljkovic, N.,"Superhydrophobic Heat Exchangers Delay Frost Formation and Reduce Defrost Energy Input of Aircraft Environmental Control Systems," International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 189:122669,2022
• Xu, B., Z. Chen, and S. Wang, "Molecular Dynamics Study of Self-propelled Droplet on Different Surfaces, " Chemical Physics Letters, 782:139029,2021
• Jin, H., S. Shanhane, Y. Zhang, and S. Wang, K. Nawaz, "Modeling of crystallization fouling on a horizontal-tube falling-film evaporator for thermal desalination," International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 178:121596, 2021.
• Wan, Z., Y. Li, and S. Wang, "A Comprehensive Simulation and Optimization of Heat Transfer Characteristics of Subcooled Seawater Falling Film around Elliptical Tubes," Applied Thermal Engineering, 189:116675, 2021.
• Xiao, J., S. Wang, S. Wang, J. Dong, J. Wen, J. Tu, "Numerical Study on Forced Convection Heat Transfer Across a Heated Circular Tube Based on Bingham Model with Thermally Dependent Viscosity" ASME Journal of Heat Transfer, 143(2): 021801, 2021.
• Rabbi, K.F., K.S. Boyina, W. Su, S. Sett, A. Thamban, S. Shahane, S. Wang, and N. Miljkovic, "Wettability-Defined Frosting Dynamics Between Plane Fins in Quiescent Air," International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 164: 120563, 2021.
• Shen, Y., H. Zou, and S. Wang, " Condensation Frosting on Micropillar Surfaces - Effect of Microscale Roughness on Ice Propagation," Langmuir, 36(45): 13563-13574, 2020.
• Yang, P., T. Zhang, Y. Zhang, S. Wang, and Y. Liu, "Model of R134a Liquid–vapor Two-phase Heat Transfer Coefficient for Pulsating Flow Boiling in an Evaporator Using Response Surface Methodology," Energies, 13(14): 3540, 2020.
• Yang, P., Y. Zhang, S. Wang, and Y. Liu, "Experimental Study on Liquid-vapor Two-phase Pressure Drop of Pulsating Flow in an Evaporator," International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 158: 119998, 2020.
• Jin, H.-Q., and S. Wang, " Experimental Study of Refrigerant (R-134a) Condensation Heat Transfer and Retention Behavior on Paraffin-Coated Vertical Plates and Fin Structures," ASME Journal of Heat Transfer, 142(8): 081601, 2020.
• Shen, Y., and S. Wang, "Condensation Frosting Detection and Characterization using a Capacitance Sensing Approach," International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 147: 118968, 2020.
• Boyina, K.S., A.J. Mahvi, S. Chavan, D. Park, K. Kumar, M. Lira, Y. Yu, A.A. Gunay, X. Wang, and N. Miljkovic, " Condensation Frosting on Meter-scale Superhydrophobic and Superhydrophilic Heat Exchangers," International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 145: 118694, 2019.
• Shen, Y., and X. Wang, " Real-time Frost Porosity Detection using Capacitance Sensing Approach," International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 134: 1171-1179, 2019.
• Yang, P., Y. Zhang, X. Wang, and Y.-W. Liu, “Heat Transfer Measurement and Flow Regime Visualization of Two-phase Pulsating Flow in an Evaporator," International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 127: 1014-1024, 2018.
• Wu, Y., X. Wang, and X. Zhang, "Solution of the Boundary-layer Equations for Natural Convection Film Boiling on Vertical Cylindrical Surfaces," International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer, 89: 1-6, 2017.
• Wang, X., K. Tang, and P.S. Hrnjak, "Evaporator Performance Enhancement by Pulsation Width Modulation (PWM)," Applied Thermal Engineering, 99: 825-833, 2016.
• Wang, X., and A.M. Jacobi, "A Thermodynamic Basis for Predicting Falling-film Mode Transitions," International Journal of Refrigeration, 43: 123-132, 2014.
• Wang, X., M. He, K. Lv, H. Fan, and A.M. Jacobi, "Effects of Liquid Supply Method on Falling-film Mode Transitions on Horizontal Tubes," Heat Transfer Engineering, 34(7): 562-579, 2013.
• Wang, X.F., P.S. Hrnjak, S. Elbel, A.M. Jacobi, and M.G. He, "Heat Transfer Performance for a Falling-film on Horizontal Flat Tubes," ASME Journal of Heat Transfer, 135(7): 072901, 2013.
• Wang, X., M.A. Rahman, A.M. Jacobi, and P.S. Hrnjak, "Dynamic Wetting Behavior and Water Drops on Microgrooved Surfaces," Heat Transfer Engineering, 34(13): 1088-1098, 2013.
• Wang, X., P.S. Hrnjak, S. Elbel, A.M. Jacobi, and M. He, "Flow Modes and Mode Transitions for Falling Films on Flat Tubes," ASME Journal of Heat Transfer, 134(2): 021801, 2012.
• Wang, X., M.G. He, H.L. Fan, and Y. Zhang, "Measurement of Falling Film Thickness Around a Horizontal Tube Using Laser-induced Fluorescence Technique," Journal of Physics Conference Series, 147: 012039, 2009.
• Zhang, Y., M.G. He, R. Xue, X.F. Wang, Q. Zhong, and X.X. Zhang, "A New Method for Viscosity Measurements: Inclined-tube Viscometry," International Journal of Thermophysics, 29: 483-504, 2008.

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