Using of oscillatory flow and phase change material (PCM) microcapsules to enhance heat transport efficiency in micro-/minichannels are among many new methodologies that have been proposed. In this paper, we propose a novel and simple heat spreader concept that integrates the technologies of oscillating flow streaming and PCM microcapsules. Phenomena of the flow streaming can be found in oscillating, zero-mean-velocity flows in many channel configurations. The pumpless flow can be generated by simple heating or by channel wall vibration. Discrepancy in velocity profiles between the forward and backward flows causes fluid and particles suspended in fluids near the walls to drift toward one end while particles near the centerline drift to the other end. Preliminary work of computer simulations on fluid and suspended particle streaming in multichannel mini-bifurcation networks flows has been conducted and verified by visualization experiments. Results show that flow streaming with PCM microcapsules entrainment has the potential to be used as a cost-effective technology in a heat spreader.
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