prof. Ing. Václav Píštěk, DrSc.

1. Computational models for Phase Change Material enhanced with nanoparticles for heat storage and their experimental validation.

   Improved functionality of phase change materials (PCM) through dispersion of nanoparticles will be studied. The resulting nanoparticle-enhanced phase change materials (NEPCM) exhibit enhanced thermal conductivity in comparison to the base material. Partly due to increase of thermal conductivity and also lowering of the latent heat of fusion, higher heat release rate of the NEPCM in relation to the conventional PCM will be studied. The study will focus on the development of computational models and their experimental validation. Also the influence of surface radiation characteristics on the absorption and heat release will be studied.

   Supervisor: Jícha Miroslav, prof. Ing., CSc.

2. Development of algorithms for solving heat and mass transfer with phase and structural changes using GPU

   The theme is aimed at the development of numerical algorithms designed primarily for solving heat transfer with phase transformations using high parallelization of code. For the solution should fully take advantage of special graphic processor units TESLA. Expected to use MATLAB and C++. Algorithms can be network-oriented methods (eg method of control volumes) or mesh free methods.

   Supervisor: Štětina Josef, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

3. Models for Computational aeroacoustics and their validation by experiments.

   Study of different models for computational aeroacoustics, i.e. direct solution of the source of noise and its radiation to near field and using several analogies (e.g. Lighthill, Ffowcs - Williams & Hawkings and others) for low Mach numbers with the goal to analyse optimal model for the noise source and its radiation in typical ventilation outlets in ventilation system of car cabins. Comparison of models based on mesh methods and meshfree methods (particle methods). Also validation by laboratory and field experiments will be a part of doctoral studies.

   Supervisor: Jícha Miroslav, prof. Ing., CSc.

4. Smart mobile data acqusition system for environmental engineering

   The theme is aimed at the development of modern measuring system based on hardware and software from National Instrument. In particular, take advantage of a Real-time operating systems and FPGA technology.

   Supervisor: Štětina Josef, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

5. Study of human comfort inside car/aircraft cabin using thermal manikin

   To study influence of various measures to reduce heat loads of human body in car/aircraft cabin. The study will focus on optimal function of cooling/heating, various surface reducing heat penetration into the cabin, cooled/heated seats, etc. Determination of heat transfer coefficients on interior cabin surfaces and on the individual segments of human body.

   Supervisor: Jícha Miroslav, prof. Ing., CSc.

6. The optimization attenuation of fluid temperature oscillations using latent heat thermal storage

   The scope of the theme is the attenuation of fluid temperature oscillations by means of latent heat thermal storage. The phase change of matter at constant pressure is almost an isothermal process and it is associated with the transfer of huge amount of heat (latent heat). This phenomenon can be employed in order to attenuate oscillations of fluid temperature. The investigations will focus on the attenuation characteristics of latent heat thermal storage with regard to thermal properties of the thermal storage material (heat of fusion, thermal conductivity). The studied cases will include the step change of fluid temperature and the periodic changes of fluid temperature (square wave, sinusoidal). The attention will be paid to the attenuation characteristics of latent heat thermal storage for various amplitudes and frequencies of the fluid temperature changes.

   Supervisor: Štětina Josef, prof. Ing., Ph.D.