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.