An experimental investigation of heat transfer performance in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) oscillating heat pipe

• An improved manufacture process of PDMS OHP with good bonding strength was studied.
• A prototype of PDMS OHP was demonstrated.
• Oscillating motion in the PDMS OHP can be generated.
• Electric field cannot affect the heat transfer performance of the PDMS OHP.
• Al2O3/Ethanol nanofluid cannot affect the PDMS OHP heat transfer performance.

A transparent oscillating heat pipe (OHP) with five turns made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was investigated. An improved manufacturing process of PDMS OHP with good bonding strength was studied and a prototype of PDMS OHP was demonstrated. The PDMS OHP has dimensions of 190 mm × 155 mm with a channel diameter of 2 mm. Ethanol and Al2O3/ethanol nanofluid were charged into the PDMS OHP at a filling ratio of 70%. In addition, the electric field effect on the PDMS OHP was conducted. The experimental results show that oscillating motion in the PDMS OHP can be generated and the electric field and Al2O3/ethanol nanofluid cannot affect the heat transfer performance of a PDMS OHP.