Jonathan Boreyko
- John R. Jones III Faculty Fellow
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
- College of Engineering
Synopsis:
Inspired by nature, the Boreyko lab discovers thermo-fluid phenomena that enable novel applied systems.
Description:
The Nature-Inspired Fluids & Interfaces (NIFI) lab hypothesizes that nature has already solved many of the challenges humanity is facing regarding the needs for sustainable energy, fresh water, and advanced materials. The lab observes how nature utilizes micro & nano-structured materials to control phase-change phenomena, which in turn enables unprecedented modes of heat and mass transfer.
After discovering novel phenomena in nature, the lab engineers biomimetic materials and systems that mimic the same functionalities. Examples include passive hydraulic pumps inspired by transpiration in trees, a highly efficient jumping-droplet condenser that mimics lotus leaves, anti-frosting surfaces inspired by desert beetles, and redwood-inspired fog harvesters that use harps instead of the conventional nets. The lab strives to conduct both fundamental and applied research, by characterizing novel phenomena that are then exploited in practical materials and systems. Research in the NIFI lab is highly interdisciplinary - a fun blend of fluid mechanics, heat transfer, thermodynamics, material science, and biology.
Undergraduate and graduate researchers in the NIFI lab are trained to approach research in a creative and joyful manner, combining the fun of discovery with a passion for making a difference in the world.