Advanced bifurcation strategies in microchannel systems: A comprehensive review of heat transfer and flow optimisation techniques
Mohammad Ismail
Abstract
• Bifurcated microchannels reduce thermal resistance by 26 % related to parallel designs. • Y-shaped and radial structures boost temperature uniformity by 20 %. • Optimised bifurcation angles improve heat transfer coefficients by 22 %. • Nanofluids increase heat transfer efficiency by over 30 %. • Future work explores hybrid fluids and multi-stage bifurcations. This paper comprehensively examines developments in bifurcated microchannels, focusing on their role in boosting heat transfer and fluid flow efficiency in thermal management systems. Bifurcated designs, incorporating Y-shaped and radial structures, have been demonstrated to reduce thermal resistance by up to 26 % compared to traditional parallel designs and improve temperature uniformity by 20 % under high heat flux conditions. Optimising bifurcation angles augments heat transfer coefficients by 22 %, enabling effective thermal management in high-performance electronics, for example microprocessors and power electronics, biomedical devices including microfluidic systems for drug delivery and diagnostics, in addition to microreactors employed in chemical synthesis. Additionally, the inclusion of advanced cooling fluids, such as nanofluids, increases heat transfer efficiency by over 30 %. The findings indicate that optimising bifurcation geometries and utilising innovative cooling fluids are crucial to develop thermal performance in a variety of applications. In conclusion, the study underlines the magnitude of continued research into hybrid cooling fluids and multi-stage bifurcation designs to further improve cooling efficiency, particularly in high-power electronics, renewable energy systems and energy-efficient buildings.