Managing Thermal Energy Via Surface Emissivity

The Goodson lab research focuses on analyzing and controlling thermal energy transfer in order to facilitate optimal functioning in electronic products. The lab is currently working on thermal management of heat created by the LED light panel which is affecting the image resolution of a television screen. The effect of the surface emissivity behaviors of metallic vs. black is one of the variables being tested as a way to ameliorate picture degradation due to excess heat transfer to the picture screen. In this ETP, the students will investigate and model a simplified version of the problem. The student experiment investigates the rise and drop in temperature in a piece of shiny silver aluminum vs one painted black when 1st submerged in 100 C water and then exposed to the ambient air. Students will utilize thermocouples to measure temperature. After analyzing the data and discussing its ramifications, students will create group models to present and discuss as a class and finally show their understanding through the creation of individual models to explain the thermal transfer occurring. As part of their written explanation, students will predict changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed.