Abstract: Heat transfer via photons at the nanoscale deviates profoundly from predictions based on the Stefan-Boltzmann law of radiative heat transfer. In this talk, we will raise key open questions regarding nanoscale thermal radiation, describe a number of novel tools and techniques that we developed to address these questions, and present some of the insights from our studies that shed light on the unique physical mechanisms and new opportunities for engineering applications associated with nanoscale thermal radiation. Particularly, we will present crucial technical advances that enable achieving picowatt-resolution heat transfer measurements. Then, we will present our recent experimental work that leverages custom-built nano-positioning tools and calorimetric nano-devices, and reports first measurements of near-field radiative heat transfer that established how heat transfer rates can exceed the Stefan-Boltzmann law by many orders of magnitude. Lastly, we will discuss possible applications of nanoscale thermal radiation for energy conversion and photonic cooling. To conclude, we will outline how these technical advances can be leveraged for future investigations of near-field thermophotovoltaic energy conversion and photonic cooling.

Bio (Pramod Reddy): Prof. Pramod Reddy received a B. Tech and M. Tech in Mechanical Engineering from IIT-Bombay in 2002, and a Ph.D. in Applied Science and Technology from the University of California, Berkeley in 2007. He was a recipient of the NSF CAREER award in 2009, the DARPA Young Faculty Award in 2012 and the Young Alumnus Achiever Award from IIT Bombay in 2017 and the Distinguished Faculty Achievement Award from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 2020. He is currently a Professor in the departments of Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.