Development of Optically Accessible Test Rigs for Laser-Induced Nucleation Experiments

Institut

Lehrstuhl für Thermodynamik (TUM-ED)

Typ

Semesterarbeit / Masterarbeit /

Inhalt

 

Beschreibung

Description

We are looking for motivated students to design, manufacture, and test optically accessible test rigs for laser-induced nucleation experiments in liquids. The experimental setup will be used to study nucleation processes induced by a focused laser beam, with gold nanoparticles serving as controlled nucleation sites.

The goal of this thesis is to develop compact and robust liquid cells that enable controlled optical measurements under well-defined thermal, flow, and pressure conditions. The test rigs should consist of a metallic housing with two optical windows separated by a spacer in the range of approximately 50–200 µm. The optical measurement region should allow the liquid to either pass through the cell or remain static under controlled pressure.

Two variants of the test rig are planned:

1. Flow-through test rig
   A liquid cell with pump inlet and outlet connections, allowing liquid to pass through the optical measurement region. The system may also include an external liquid reservoir, where the liquid can be heated or cooled before entering the cell.
2. Pressurized static test rig
   A sealed liquid cell in which the liquid remains static in the optical measurement region, while the pressure inside the cell can be increased in a controlled way.

Both test rigs should allow controlled temperature adjustment of the liquid. Ideally, the setup should be capable of both heating and cooling. The exact cooling concept is open for development and may be based, for example, on a cooled reservoir, external heat exchanger, Peltier elements, or another suitable solution. The heating/cooling concept should aim to provide stable and homogeneous liquid temperature conditions during the experiment.

For a Master’s thesis, both variants should ideally be developed, manufactured, and tested. For a Semester thesis, the focus can be placed on one of the two variants. Applications from teams of 2–3 students are welcome, especially if the work is divided between the flow-through and pressurized designs.

Tasks

The thesis may include the following tasks, depending on the final scope:

• Literature and concept review of optically accessible liquid cells, sealing concepts, temperature-control systems, and pressure-compatible experimental housings.
• Mechanical design of one or both test rigs using CAD software.
• Design of a metallic enclosure with optical window holders, spacers, liquid connections, and sealing elements.
• Design of the optical measurement region with a window spacing of approximately 50–200 µm.
• Integration of pump inlet and outlet connections for the flow-through version.
• Design of a pressure-capable static liquid cell for controlled measurements under elevated pressure.
• Development of a suitable liquid temperature-control concept, including heating and cooling.
• Possible integration of an external reservoir, heat exchanger, or another temperature-control unit.
• Integration of temperature sensors, such as Pt100 sensors or thermocouples, to monitor the liquid temperature and housing temperature.
• Integration of an acoustic sensor, ranging from a simple microphone-type sensor to a more advanced acoustic detection concept.
• Thermal analysis of the heating/cooling concept and expected temperature distribution.
• CFD simulation of the internal flow and heat transfer for the flow-through test rig.
• Optional FEM analysis of the housing, window mounting, and pressure-loaded components.
• Communication with workshop staff regarding manufacturability and support during test rig production.
• Assembly and basic testing of the manufactured test rig.
• Experimental validation, including leakage tests, temperature-control tests, acoustic-signal tests, and, for the pressurized version, pressure-handling tests.

Expected Outcomes

The expected outcome of the thesis is a functional test rig concept and, depending on the thesis scope, a manufactured and experimentally tested prototype. The final results should include:

• CAD design and technical drawings of the developed test rig.
• A manufactured and assembled prototype of the liquid cell.
• Demonstration of leak-tight operation.
• Demonstration of controlled liquid and housing temperature measurement.
• Validation of heating and cooling capability.
• Evaluation of temperature stability and, where possible, temperature homogeneity in the measurement region.
• Basic acoustic measurement capability.
• For the flow-through version: analysis or simulation of internal flow and heat transfer.
• For the pressurized version: verification of pressure handling and sealing performance.
• Documentation of the design decisions, limitations, and recommendations for future experimental use.

Voraussetzungen

• Student in Mechanical Engineering, Energy and Process Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• Experience with SolidWorks is required; experience with other CAD software is also acceptable.
• Experience with ANSYS or comparable simulation software is beneficial.
• Knowledge of heat transfer and fluid mechanics is desirable.
• Interest in experimental work, mechanical design, and multidisciplinary problem solving.
• Ability to access the Garching campus when needed.
• Willingness to communicate with workshop staff during the design and manufacturing process.
• Ability to work independently and systematically.
• Motivation to solve practical engineering problems efficiently.

Möglicher Beginn

immediately

Kontakt

M.Sc. Mikhail Ishchenko
Raum: 5507.EG.703
Tel.: +49 89 289 16252
ge43duymytum.de