Research

Concentrating Solar Power Technology

Concentrating solar power (CSP) is an emerging solar-thermal technology for generating dispatchable clean energy. Using an array of heliostats (mirrors), the sunlight can be concentrated and used for heating and generating electricity. To achieve higher efficiency and lower levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), the next-generation CSP plants aim to operate at high temperatures (i.e., 700 degrees Celsius). There are tremendous research opportunities related to CSP, including the thermophysical characterization of heat transfer fluids (HTFs), including granular media and molten salts.

I have been doing thermophysical measurements to characterize the thermal transport performance of granular media and molten salts, the HTF candidates for next-generation CSP. I have also worked with Dr. Zeng et al. to develop a non-contact frequency-domain thermal measurement technique, namely modulated photothermal radiometry (MPR). We have demonstrated the capability of the MPR technique to measure static and flowing granular media and fluids at high temperatures.

K. M. Chung, et al., Journal of Applied Physics, 2024, 135 (21), 215102.
K. M. Chung, et al. Int. J. Heat Mass Transf., 2023, 217, 124652.
J. Zeng#, K. M. Chung#, et al. Annu. Rev. Heat Transf., 2022, 25, 76.
J. Zeng#, K.M. Chung#, et al. Int. J. Heat Mass Transf., 2021, 180, 121767.
J. Zeng#, K. M. Chung#, X. Zhang#, et al. J. Appl. Phys., 2021, 130(16), 165104.
K.M. Chung#, J. Zeng#, et al. Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells., 2021, 230, 111271.
J. Zeng#, K. M. Chung#, et al. Int. J. Heat Mass Transf., 2021, 170, 120989.
#These authors contribute equally

Figure from D. Lilley, et al. J. Appl. Phys 130.22 (2021).

Thermal Energy Storage Materials

Thermal energy storage (TES) is essential to meet the increasing demand for energy in modern society. Power plants, for example, CSP plants, are usually coupled with TES systems to ensure the stored thermal energy is available for electricity generation even when the sun is set. Thermal energy storage is stored based on sensible heat, latent heat, and thermochemical energy. I have been working on the design and modification towards better performance and cost-effective TES materials.

K. M. Chung, and R. Chen. Sol. Energy, 2023, 249, 98.

J. Zeng#, K. M. Chung#, et al. Annu. Rev. Heat Transf., 2022, 25, 76.
#These authors contribute equally

Figure from A. Sarkar, et al. Scr. Mater. 187 (2020): 43-48.

High-Entropy Materials

High-entropy materials (HEMs) are a new class of material that has gained significant research attention in the last two decades. They are compositionally complex single-phase materials that consist of more than five elements. Due to the complexity of the composition, HEMs usually possess unusual material properties. In my study, I am interested in designing new types of high-entropy ceramics (HECs) for thermal insulation, thermally stable coatings, and thermochemical applications at high temperatures.

K. M. Chung, and R. Chen. Sol. Energy, 2023, 249, 98.

A.J. Wright. et al. Scr. Mater. 181 (2020): 76-81.

Figure from J. Zeng#, K. M. Chung#, et al. Int. J. Heat Mass Transf. 170 (2021): 120989.

Developing New Characterization Technique

To meet the demand of characterizing new materials and materials that are usually challenging to measure accurately using conventional methods, new characterization methods are required to perform precise measurements.

Dr. Zeng et al. and I have previously developed a non-contact frequency-domain thermal measurement technique, modulated photothermal radiometry (MPR). It can measure granular media and molten salt in static and flowing statues at high temperatures. I am working on the application of the technique as an in-situ diagnostic tool for characterizing physical phenomena (i.e., interfacial reactions, thermochemical reactions, etc.). It is also of great interest to develop new methodologies to characterize thermophysical properties.

K. M. Chung, et al., Journal of Applied Physics, 2024, 135 (21), 215102.
K. M. Chung#, Y. Zhang#, et al. Sol. Energy, 2023, 265, 112124.
K. M. Chung, et al. Int. J. Heat Mass Transf., 2023, 217, 124652.
J. Zeng#, K. M. Chung#,et al. Annu. Rev. Heat Transf., 2022, 25, 76.
J. Zeng#, K.M. Chung#, et al. Int. J. Heat Mass Transf., 2021, 180, 121767.
J. Zeng#, K. M. Chung#, et al. Int. J. Heat Mass Transf., 2021, 170, 120989.
#These authors contribute equally

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