About The Conference

Boulder's famous backdrop, the 'Flatirons' rock formations

This is the Symposium of the well-established series of conferences on thermophysical properties. The Symposium is concerned with theoretical, experimental, simulation, and applied aspects of the thermophysical properties of gases, liquids, and solids, including biological systems. Appropriate topics are:

• Thermodynamic Properties, including equation of state, phase equilibria, p-V-T behavior, heat capacity, enthalpy, thermal expansion, sound speed, and critical phenomena.
• Transport Properties, including thermal and electrical conductivity, viscosity, mass diffusion, thermal diffusion, non-Newtonian behavior, and thermal, thermoacoustic, and other diffusion waves.
• Optical and Thermal Radiative Properties, including dielectric constant, refractive index, emissivity, reflectivity, and absorptivity.
• Interfacial Properties, including solid-solid interfaces, surface tension, interfacial profiles, interfacial transport, and wetting.
• Data Correlation, including data evaluation and prediction, standard reference data, databases, and storage and retrieval of thermophysical-property data.

Technical Areas at the Symposium:

Click on a Session Title below to open a description of the session:

The CU campus, with the snow-capped Rockies.
(Photo by Glenn Asakawa/University of Colorado)

• Correlations and Engineering Equations of State
  Eric Lemmon, NIST
  Roland Span, Ruhr-Universität Bochum
  

  This session deals with equations of state, correlations, or empirical models that can be used to calculate thermophysical properties of fluids or mixtures. Examples are Helmholtz energy based equations, cubic equation of state, BWR pressure explicit equations, corresponding states models, transport models, vapor pressure correlations, spline interpolations, estimation models or calculation methods for vapor-liquid equilibrium or solubilities, and surface tension correlations. Other topics might include fitting techniques, or group contribution methods.

• Databases and Software
  Ken Kroenlein, NIST
  Thomas Knotts, BYU
  

  Thermophysical property databases provide core information for process modeling and development. The breadth, accuracy, currency and reliability of the data as well as the integrity and management of the database itself are important factors in the ultimate reliability of the modeled process. In addition to these topics, papers appropriate for this session might include issues associated with database management systems, types of data, uses of databases, the handling of large quantities of data, database procedures, data quality and estimates of reliability, data uncertainties, thermophysical property evaluation, data traceability, database quality control, and error detection/prevention. Topics related to database software and the use of databases for development of property prediction techniques are also invited for this session. Topics in this area might include software for retrieval, analysis, and display of data; expert systems; automated data evaluation; and techniques such as data mining and QSPR methods that rely on the strengths of the database.

• Fluctuation-Induced and Mesoscopic Properties of Fluids
  Mikhail Anisimov, University of Maryland
  

  Topics of interest in this area include critical phenomena, liquid polyamorphism, finite-size and confined fluids, microphase and two-dimensional fluid separation.

• Fluid Property Measurements
  Rakesh Srivastava, Dow Chemical
  Karsten Meier, Helmut Schmidt University
  

  The sessions on Fluid Property Measurements are a forum for reports of experimental studies of thermophysical properties in broad ranges of pressure, temperature, and composition, including safe handling of toxic and corrosive compounds. Emphasis should be placed on the industrial relevance of the results and/or their scientific significance to better understand molecular interactions, to advance property models and databases, or to benchmark force fields and simulation results. The topic, scope, and style of the presentations should fit the broad audience of these sessions.

• Instrumentation and Measurement Techniques
  Tom Bruno, NIST
  

  This session will focus only on contributions reporting novel experimental techniques or instrumentations, either not yet published, or published within the past 12 months. The focus is on the development of new techniques. Contributions made with established apparatus should be submitted to other sessions.

• Inverse Problems and Non-destructive Evaluation
  Xavier Maldague, Laval University
  Roberto LiVoti, University Rome
  Andreas Mandelis, University Toronto
  

  A major strength of diffusion-wave methodologies is their ability to perform depth profilometry in inhomogeneous matter thereby giving rise to the inverse problem. For example, with thermal-wave diagnostics, thermophysical property depth profiles can be reconstructed. Further inverse problem theme areas include imaging and tomography. Sessions dedicated to these topics will highlight contributions in the mathematical methods of the diffusion-wave inverse problem, computational tools and scientific / engineering implementation of methods toward thermophysical, optical and acoustic/ultrasonic properties.

• Ionic Liquids
  José Nuno Canongia Lopes, Instituto Superior Técnico - Lisbon
  Luis Paulo Rebelo, University Nova de Lisboa
  

  Sessions in this area relate to the thermophysical properties of ionic liquids and their mixtures and solutions. Topics of interest include gas solubility, molecular interactions, thermal conductivity, viscosity, diffusion, densities, excess volumes and enthalpies, isothermal compressibilities, surface tension, enthalpy of fusion, phase behavior, calorimetry, modeling and simulation of ionic liquids, and ionic liquids as functional materials.

• Molecular Simulation
  Vince Shen, NIST
  Andrei Kazakov, NIST
  

  This session focuses on the use of molecular simulation to propagate a many-body system through phase space. Applications of molecular simulation to predict thermophysical properties of fluid and/or solid systems and to elucidate physical phenomena are of particular interest. New modeling and simulation methods, including coarse-grained/multiscale approaches, are also strongly encouraged.

• Non-equilibrium Thermodynamics
  Fernando Bresme, Imperial College
  David Reguera - University of Barcelona
  

  The sessions on non-equilibrium thermodynamics will focus on recent theoretical advances highlighting the applicability of theory to investigate transport phenomena, state-of-the-art non-equilbrium modeling/simulation techniques and experimental studies under non-equilibrium conditions.

• Optical and Thermal Radiative Properties
  Zhuomin Zhang, Georgia Tech
  Leonard Hanssen, NIST
  

  Optical and thermal radiative properties of advanced materials are critically needed for energy conversion systems, thermal management, microelectronics, materials process and manufacturing, and noncontact temperature measurement. This focused topic will provide a forum for participants to present the most recent research results on all aspects of measurement, theory, simulation, and modeling of emittance, absorptance, reflectance, transmittance, and scattering properties of surfaces, thin films, particles, periodic and aperiodic structures and composites. Reports on the state-of-the-art theories and methods in modeling, designing, fabricating, and testing micro/nanostructures to tailor the radiative properties for energy conversion will be welcomed.

• Photothermal and Photoacoustic Techniques
  Andreas Mandelis, University of Toronto
  

  The sessions dedicated to these topics involve advanced optical-to-thermal and optical-to-acoustic/ultrasonic analytical experimental and theoretical methodologies developed and utilized for thermophysical property measurements in all states of matter. Reports in PT and PA methodologies and their applications are solicited.

• Properties for Materials Science at High Temperatures
  Doug Matson, Tufts University
  Gernot Pottlacher, TU Graz
  

  These sessions will concentrate on experimental and theoretical aspects for the measurement of thermophysical properties of materials at high temperature. Measurement timescales span the continuum from highly non-equilibrium subsecond thermophysics to quasi-static and equilibrium techniques used for identification of properties for metallurgical process design.

• Properties of Aqueous Systems
  Andre Anderko, Oli Systems
  Josef Šedlbauer, University of Liberec
  

  We seek papers about the measurement, theory, and correlation of thermophysical properties of aqueous systems, including solutions of electrolytes and nonelectrolytes in water. In addition to fundamental studies of thermodynamic and transport properties, we encourage papers that relate the properties of aqueous solutions to applications such chemical process design, geochemistry, power generation, electrochemical energy sources, life sciences, and protection of the environment.

• Properties for Fuels and Energy Systems
  Sergio Quiñones-Cisneros, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)
  Kurt Schmidt, Schlumberger Technology Corporation
  Tony Goodwin (1961–2014), Schlumberger Technology Corporation
  

  These sessions deal with thermophysical properties of fuels including natural gas, petroleum-based fuels, coal-based fuels, tar sands, shale gas, and gas hydrates. Also of interest are properties of systems related to carbon capture and sequestration as well as gas injection. Past sessions have included viscosity, density, calorimetry, phase behavior, fuel and oil characterization, thermal conductivity, and thermal degradation. Experimental, modeling, and simulation studies are all encouraged.

• Properties of Polymers and Composites
  Jason Killgore - NIST
  Yifu Ding - University of Colorado
  

  The sessions will focus on the measurement, theory, and simulation of physical properties of polymeric materials. All new concepts pertaining to the physical properties of polymers are welcomed. Specific areas of interest will include, but are not limited to, polymers for energy and environmental applications, shape memory effects, nanoscale thermal and mechanical characterization, and polymer nanocomposites.

• Properties of Solids
  Heng Ban, Utah State University
  

  Sessions in this area are devoted to the thermophysical properties of solids. Topics of interest include but are not limited to thermal conductivity of solids, thermodynamic studies of phase transitions, and thermal deformation. We seek papers using experimental, theoretical and/or computational methods in fundamental research and/or applications in areas such as energy, environment, industrial processes and life sciences.

• Properties of Working Fluids including Refrigerants
  Stephanie Outcalt, NIST
  Mark McLinden, NIST
  

  Papers reporting experimental measurements or models for the properties of fluids intended as working fluids in thermodynamic cycles are solicited. This would include thermodynamic and transport properties, equations of state and other models, pure fluids and mixtures. Working fluids for refrigeration and power cycles are of interest. Data and models for the "new" low-GWP refrigerants and working fluids for organic Rankine cycles are particularly welcome. Papers comparing one cycle versus another or one fluid versus another in a particular cycle are generally not of interest, unless the focus is clearly on the property characteristics.

• Theory of Thermophysical Properties
  Clare McCabe, Vanderbilt University
  Amparo Galindo, Imperial College
  

  This session focuses on the use of molecular theory to predict thermophysical properties, including molecular based equations of state, classical density functional theory, and approaches the electronic structure of individual molecules.

• Thermal Properties of Nanostructured Materials
  Xinwei Wang, Iowa State University
  Ronggui Yang, University of Colorado
  

  This session will cover wide-spectrum research related to thermophysical properties of nanostructured materials (including nanofluids). Examples include, but not limited to, thermal properties of novel nanostructured materials (quantum dots, nanowires, thin films, graphene, carbon nanotubes and their composites), new technology development to explore the thermal transport behavior of nanostructured materials, effect of material structure on thermophysical properties, and theoretical investigation and computer modeling to look into the physics underpinning thermal transport in nanostructured materials.

• Thermophysical Methods for Biomaterials and Biosystems
  Juan José Alvarado Gil, CINVESTAV IPN
  Andreas Mandelis, University Toronto
  

  Phenomenal global growth in biomaterials and biosystems for clinical, biological and technological uses in recent years has accelerated research interest into the properties of materials systems in those categories. Analytical and computational methods and their applications to the study of biomaterials and biosystems are solicited for sessions dedicated to these topics. In particular, biothermophotonic techniques have recently emerged as efficient tools for the measurement of thermophysical properties of biomaterials and biosystems. Contributions describing novel biothermophotonic and biophotoacoustic techniques or applications of existing biomedical and biological photothermal and photoacoustic methodologies are welcome and encouraged.

• Wetting, Interfaces, and Membranes
  Marcus Müller, University of Göttingen
  Carolyn Koh, Colorado School of Mines
  

  Submissions that relate to the following topics are encouraged for these sessions: structure and thermodynamics of interfaces, theory and computer simulation, wetting and fluctuation effects, interplay between wetting and phase behavior in confined geometry, kinetics of phase transitions, dynamics at interfaces, structure formation in synthetic and biological, amphiphilic systems, energy materials, and gas hydrates.

• Posters
  Joe Magee, NIST
  Jason Widegren, NIST
  

  Posters will cover all topic areas of the Symposium.

• Software Demonstrations
  Rob Chirico, NIST
  

  Software Demonstartions may cover any topic area of the Symposium.

Please send your comments and suggestions to the Symposium organizers through the Symposium email address:

All technical sessions will be held at the University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, U.S.A. The Symposium is organized by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the Joint ASME-AIChE Committee on Thermophysical Properties.