Chuan-Hua Chen | Scholars@Duke

Chuan-Hua Chen
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science

Chuan-Hua Chen's research interests lie in experimental and theoretical investigations of small-scale physicochemical hydrodynamics, where transport and interfacial phenomena closely interact with each other.

By manipulating surface tension actively and passively, e.g. using electric fields and surface structures, we are developing innovative solutions for applications ranging from bioanalytical assays to microelectronics cooling.

Current Research Interests

Experimental and theoretical research coupling physicochemical hydrodynamics with interfacial engineering

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Pratt School of Engineering 2014
Faculty Network Member of The Energy Initiative, Nicholas Institute-Energy Initiative, Initiatives 2012

Contact Information

178 Hudson Hall, Box 90300, Durham, NC 27708-0300
178 Hudson Hall, Dept. Mechanical Engineering, Durham, NC 27708-0300
chuanhua.chen@duke.edu (919) 660-5343
Research Group Website

Background
Education, Training, & Certifications
- Ph.D., Stanford University 2004
Previous Appointments & Affiliations
- Director of Masters Program in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Pratt School of Engineering 2017 - 2020
- Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Pratt School of Engineering 2007 - 2014
Recognition
In the News
- AUG 17, 2017 Pratt School of Engineering
  
  Dancing Droplets Launch Themselves from Thin Fibers
- JUL 27, 2017 The New York Times
  
  Fungi Physics: How Those Spores Launch Just Right
- JUL 26, 2017 Pratt School of Engineering
  
  Fungal Spores Harness Physics to Launch Themselves
- APR 3, 2017 Pratt School of Engineering
  
  Jumping Droplets Whisk Away Hotspots in Electronics
- JUL 8, 2016 Digital Journal
  
  Bouncing nano-droplets remove contaminants
- AUG 17, 2015 Duke Today
  
  Dancing Droplets Launch Themselves from Thin Fibers
Awards & Honors
- Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program. National Science Foundation. 2009
Research
Selected Grants
- Fundamental studies of jumping-drop thermal diodes awarded by Air Force Research Laboratory 2015
- Adaptive Hotspot Cooling with Self-Propelled Jumping Condensate awarded by National Science Foundation 2012 - 2015
- Electrohydrodynamic Coulter Counting awarded by National Science Foundation 2009 - 2014
- Deep Ion Etcher for SMIF awarded by National Science Foundation 2010 - 2011
- Biomimetic Electrospray Vapor Chamber awarded by National Science Foundation 2008 - 2009
Publications & Artistic Works
Selected Publications
- Academic Articles
  - Guo, H. A., S. Maheshwari, M. S. Patel, E. C. Bhatt, and C. H. Chen. “Droplet actuation on superhydrophobic substrates via electric field gradients.” Applied Physics Letters 114, no. 11 (March 18, 2019). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5080241.
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  - Guo, H. A., K. F. Wiedenheft, and C. H. Chen. “Hotspot Size Effect on Conductive Heat Spreading.” Ieee Transactions on Components, Packaging and Manufacturing Technology 7, no. 9 (September 1, 2017): 1459–64. https://doi.org/10.1109/TCPMT.2017.2704419.
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  - Liu, Fangjie, Roger L. Chavez, S. N. Patek, Anne Pringle, James J. Feng, and Chuan-Hua Chen. “Asymmetric drop coalescence launches fungal ballistospores with directionality.” Journal of the Royal Society, Interface 14, no. 132 (July 2017): 20170083. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2017.0083.
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  - Wiedenheft, K. F., H. A. Guo, X. Qu, J. B. Boreyko, F. Liu, K. Zhang, F. Eid, A. Choudhury, Z. Li, and C. H. Chen. “Hotspot cooling with jumping-drop vapor chambers.” Applied Physics Letters 110, no. 14 (April 3, 2017). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4979477.
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  - Chavez, Roger L., Fangjie Liu, James J. Feng, and Chuan-Hua Chen. “Capillary-inertial colloidal catapults upon drop coalescence.” Applied Physics Letters 109, no. 1 (July 2016): 011601. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4955085.
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  - Zhang, Kungang, Fangjie Liu, Adam J. Williams, Xiaopeng Qu, James J. Feng, and Chuan-Hua Chen. “Self-Propelled Droplet Removal from Hydrophobic Fiber-Based Coalescers.” Physical Review Letters 115, no. 7 (August 2015): 074502. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.115.074502.
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  - Qu, X., J. B. Boreyko, F. Liu, R. L. Agapov, N. V. Lavrik, S. T. Retterer, J. J. Feng, C. P. Collier, and C. H. Chen. “Self-propelled sweeping removal of dropwise condensate.” Applied Physics Letters 106, no. 22 (June 1, 2015). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4921923.
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  - Scheideler, W. J., and C. H. Chen. “The minimum flow rate scaling of Taylor cone-jets issued from a nozzle.” Applied Physics Letters 104, no. 2 (January 13, 2014). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4862263.
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  - Liu, F., G. Ghigliotti, J. J. Feng, and C. H. Chen. “Numerical simulations of self-propelled jumping upon drop coalescence on non-wetting surfaces.” Journal of Fluid Mechanics 752 (January 1, 2014): 39–65. https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2014.320.
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  - Liu, F., G. Ghigliotti, J. J. Feng, and C. H. Chen. “Self-propelled jumping upon drop coalescence on leidenfrost surfaces.” Journal of Fluid Mechanics 752 (January 1, 2014): 22–38. https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2014.319.
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  - Liu, F., and C. H. Chen. “Electrohydrodynamic cone-jet bridges: Stability diagram and operating modes.” Journal of Electrostatics 72, no. 4 (January 1, 2014). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.elstat.2014.05.004.
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  - Wisdom, Katrina M., Jolanta A. Watson, Xiaopeng Qu, Fangjie Liu, Gregory S. Watson, and Chuan-Hua Chen. “Self-cleaning of superhydrophobic surfaces by self-propelled jumping condensate.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 110, no. 20 (May 2013): 7992–97. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1210770110.
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  - Boreyko, J. B., and C. H. Chen. “Vapor chambers with jumping-drop liquid return from superhydrophobic condensers.” International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 61, no. 1 (March 15, 2013): 409–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2013.01.077.
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  - Bober, D. B., and C. H. Chen. “Pulsating electrohydrodynamic cone-jets: From choked jet to oscillating cone.” Journal of Fluid Mechanics 689 (December 25, 2011): 552–63. https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2011.453.
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  - Boreyko, J. B., Y. Zhao, and C. H. Chen. “Planar jumping-drop thermal diodes.” Applied Physics Letters 99, no. 23 (December 5, 2011). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3666818.
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  - Zhao, Y., D. B. Bober, and C. H. Chen. “Nonclogging Resistive Pulse Sensing with Electrohydrodynamic Cone-Jet Bridges.” Physical Review X 1, no. 2 (December 1, 2011). https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevX.1.021007.
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  - Zhao, Y., F. Liu, and C. H. Chen. “Thermocapillary actuation of binary drops on solid surfaces.” Applied Physics Letters 99, no. 10 (September 5, 2011). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3632041.
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  - Boreyko, Jonathan B., Christopher H. Baker, Celeste R. Poley, and Chuan-Hua Chen. “Wetting and dewetting transitions on hierarchical superhydrophobic surfaces.” Langmuir : The Acs Journal of Surfaces and Colloids 27, no. 12 (June 2011): 7502–9. https://doi.org/10.1021/la201587u.
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  - Zhao, Y., and C. H. Chen. “Electrohydrodynamic coulter counting.” 14th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences 2010, Microtas 2010 1 (December 1, 2010): 620–22.
  - Boreyko, J. B., and C. H. Chen. “Self-propelled jumping drops on superhydrophobic surfaces.” Physics of Fluids 22, no. 9 (September 30, 2010). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3483222.
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  - Zhao, Y., J. B. Boreyko, M. H. ChianG., C. H. Baker, and C. H. Chen. “Beetle inspired electrospray vapor chamber.” Proceedings of the Asme Micro/Nanoscale Heat and Mass Transfer International Conference 2009, Mnhmt2009 3 (July 12, 2010): 439–41. https://doi.org/10.1115/MNHMT2009-18498.
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  - Zhao, Y., T. Chen, X. Zhang, S. Zauscher, and C. H. Chen. “Development of an adaptive vapor chamber with thermoresponsive polymer coating.” Proceedings of the Asme Micro/Nanoscale Heat and Mass Transfer International Conference 2009, Mnhmt2009 3 (July 12, 2010): 395–98. https://doi.org/10.1115/MNHMT2009-18276.
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  - Boreyko, Jonathan B., and Chuan-Hua Chen. “Self-propelled dropwise condensate on superhydrophobic surfaces.” Physical Review Letters 103, no. 18 (October 2009): 184501. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.103.184501.
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  - Boreyko, Jonathan B., and Chuan-Hua Chen. “Restoring superhydrophobicity of lotus leaves with vibration-induced dewetting.” Physical Review Letters 103, no. 17 (October 2009): 174502. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.103.174502.
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  - Santiago, Juan G., and Chuan-Hua Chen. “Special issue on fundamental principles and techniques in microfluidics.” Lab on a Chip 9, no. 17 (September 2009): 2423–24. https://doi.org/10.1039/b913538n.
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  - Chen, C. H., Q. Cai, and C. L. Chen. “Evaporation and condensation on two-tier superhydrophobic surfaces.” 2008 Proceedings of the Asme Micro/Nanoscale Heat Transfer International Conference, Mnht 2008 PART B (August 20, 2008): 1021–22. https://doi.org/10.1115/MNHT2008-52355.
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  - Chen, C. H., Q. Cai, C. Tsai, C. L. Chen, G. Xiong, Y. Yu, and Z. Ren. “Dropwise condensation on superhydrophobic surfaces with two-tier roughness.” Applied Physics Letters 90, no. 17 (May 21, 2007). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2731434.
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  - Chen, C. H., D. A. Seville, and I. A. Aksay. “Scaling laws for pulsed electrohydrodynamic drop formation.” Applied Physics Letters 89, no. 12 (September 29, 2006). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2356891.
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  - Chen, C. H., D. A. Saville, and I. A. Aksay. “Electrohydrodynamic "drop-and-place" particle deployment.” Applied Physics Letters 88, no. 15 (April 10, 2006). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2191733.
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  - Chen, C. H., H. Lin, S. K. Lele, and J. G. Santiago. “Convective and absolute electrokinetic instability with conductivity gradients.” Journal of Fluid Mechanics 524 (February 10, 2005): 263–303. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022112004002381.
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  - Matta, A., O. M. Knio, R. G. Ghanem, C. H. Chen, J. G. Santiago, B. Debusschere, and H. N. Najm. “Computational study of band-crossing reactions.” Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems 13, no. 2 (April 1, 2004): 310–22. https://doi.org/10.1109/JMEMS.2004.825315.
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  - Lin, H., B. D. Storey, M. H. Oddy, C. H. Chen, and J. G. Santiago. “Instability of electrokinetic microchannel flows with conductivity gradients.” Physics of Fluids 16, no. 6 (January 1, 2004): 1922–35. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1710898.
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  - Chen, C. H., H. Lin, S. K. Lele, and J. G. Santiago. “Electrokinetic microflow instability with conductivity gradients.” American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Fluids Engineering Division (Publication) Fed 259 (January 1, 2003): 499–501. https://doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2003-55007.
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  - Chen, C. H., and J. G. Santiago. “A planar electroosmotic micropump.” Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems 11, no. 6 (December 1, 2002): 672–83. https://doi.org/10.1109/JMEMS.2002.805055.
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  - Zeng, S., C. H. Chen, J. G. Santiago, J. R. Chen, R. N. Zare, J. A. Tripp, F. Svec, and J. M. J. Fréchet. “Electroosmotic flow pumps with polymer frits.” Sensors and Actuators, B: Chemical 82, no. 2–3 (February 28, 2002): 209–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0925-4005(01)01007-3.
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  - Chen, C. H., and J. G. Santiago. “Electrokinetic flow instability in high concentration gradient microflows.” Asme International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Proceedings, January 1, 2002, 415–18. https://doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2002-33563.
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  - Zeng, S., C. H. Chen, J. C. Mikkelsen, and J. G. Santiago. “Fabrication and characterization of electroosmotic micropumps.” Sensors and Actuators, B: Chemical 79, no. 2–3 (October 15, 2001): 107–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0925-4005(01)00855-3.
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  - Zeng, S., C. H. Chen, J. C. Mikkelsen, and J. G. Santiago. “Fabrication and characterization of electrokinetic micro pumps.” Thermomechanical Phenomena in Electronic Systems Proceedings of the Intersociety Conference 2 (January 1, 2000): 31–36.
- Conference Papers
  - Chen, C. H. “Electrohydrodynamic Stability,” 530:177–220, 2011. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-0900-7_6.
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  - Chen, C. H., S. Zeng, J. C. Mikkelsen, and J. G. Santiago. “Development of a planar electrokinetic micropump.” In Asme International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Proceedings (Imece), 2000-AB:523–28, 2000. https://doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2000-1141.
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Teaching & Mentoring
Recent Courses
- ME 336L: Fluid Mechanics 2023
- ME 631: Intermediate Fluid Mechanics 2023
- ME 431L: Heat and Mass Transfer 2022
- ME 631: Intermediate Fluid Mechanics 2022
- ME 631: Intermediate Fluid Mechanics 2021

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Education, Training, & Certifications

Previous Appointments & Affiliations

In the News

Awards & Honors

Selected Grants

Selected Publications

Academic Articles

Conference Papers

Recent Courses