Prof. Wang Zuankai shares stories behind his research breakthroughs in centuries-old scientific challenges
Featured in the interview series of Wen Wei Po, Prof. Wang Zuankai, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Chair Professor of Nature-Inspired Engineering of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, talked about how two of his research projects addressed scientific problems that remained unsolved for centuries.
He explained that his invention of structured thermal armour adopted innovative design and the combination of specific materials, thus overcoming the 266-year-old physical phenomenon known as the Leidenfrost effect, and can achieve efficient liquid cooling of more than 1,200°C.
Another breakthrough Prof. Wang’s research achieved was discovering the way of steering directional liquid flow, overturning the theory established in 1804 that the direction of liquid flow depends on the surface materials rather than the properties of the liquid. He further shared that the idea was in fact inspired by an araucaria leaf.
