Non-Fourier heat transport in nanosystems

Abstract

Energy transfer in small nano-sized systems can be very different from that in their macroscopic counterparts due to reduced dimensionality, interaction with surfaces, disorder, and large fluctuations. Those ingredients may induce non-diffusive heat transfer that requires to be taken into account on small scales. We provide an overview of the recent advances in this field from the points of view of nonequilibrium statistical mechanics and atomistic simulations. We summarize the underlying basic properties leading to violations of the standard diffusive picture of heat transport and its universal features, with some historical perspective. We complete this scenario by illustrating also the effects of long-range interaction and integrability on non-diffusive transport. Then we discuss how all of these features can be exploited for thermal management, rectification and to improve the efficiency of energy conversion. We conclude with a review on recent achievements in atomistic simulations of anomalous heat transport in single polymers, nanotubes and two-dimensional materials. A short account of the existing experimental literature is also given.

Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics of Heat Transport in Superlattices, Graded Systems, and Thermal Metamaterials with Defects

“…We further consider the influence of defects (point defects or line defects) and of applied stress, both in the case that the defects are fixed and in the case they may move [41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54]. These topics have received a further impetus with the possibility of nanomanipulation of the systems by means of nanotechnology techniques; to describe heat transport in such nanosystems, one must go beyond Fourier's law, which is a very active practical and theoretical topic [55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69].…”

Energy Transfer from Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: Implications for Magnetic Hyperthermia

“…Recently, a first-principles molecular dynamics approach, coupled with linear response theory, allowed the efficient calculation of heat transport coefficients for bulk (macroscopic) systems. − However, such an approach rests on the diffusive mechanism, which is typical of the classical Fourier law for heat transport; hence, it is not suitable for a nanometer-scale problem. Theoretical investigations on non-Fourier heat transport at the nanoscale have been recently reviewed. , Nevertheless, most of these studies were mainly focused on simple low-dimensionality systemssuch as, e.g., atomic or molecular one-dimensional chains, or graphene-like two-dimensional structureswhile, conversely, both the system and the process considered in the present study are quite complex. Indeed, the system is a magnetic NP covalently linked to the APTES anchoring group and solvated by water, i.e., a nanosized three-dimensional magnet exhibiting a solid–liquid interface.…”

Reply to the Comment on “Local Temperature Increments and Induced Cell Death in Intracellular Magnetic Hyperthermia”

“…This discrepancy lacks a definitive explanation at present. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that in the past decade, there have been reports of the breakdown of the classical Fourier law at the microscale and nanoscale, which has prompted intense investigation. , …”

“…Nevertheless, it is worth noting that in the past decade, there have been reports of the breakdown of the classical Fourier law at the microscale and nanoscale, which has prompted intense investigation. 16,17 For further insight into this debate, we have provided a detailed account in Section I of the Supporting Information of our paper.…”