1. Tec Star S.r.l.
Viale Europa, 40 – 41011 Campogalliano (MO), Italy
Tel. +39059 526845 – Fax +39059 527000
Nanocomposite Materials: Nanofluids
Dr. Alberto Borghi
Tec Star Srl - President | CEO

2. Tec Star S.r.l.
Viale Europa, 40 – 41011 Campogalliano (MO), Italy
Tel. +39059 526845 – Fax +39059 527000
Heat transfer: water and molten salts
Concentrated Solar Power
SEM pictures of
nanofluids based on
molten salts (NaNO3
– KNO3) with
different percentages
of nanoparticles.
District heating

3. Tec Star S.r.l.
Viale Europa, 40 – 41011 Campogalliano (MO), Italy
Tel. +39059 526845 – Fax +39059 527000
The correlations between the nanofluid engineering
parameters and the nanofluid properties are schematically
presented in the Figure.
Due to the complexity of the nanofluid systems, manipulation
of the system performance requires identification of critical
parameters and properties of nanofluids.
(Elena V. Timofeeva et al., Nanoscale Research Letters 2011, 6:182)
Nanofluids for heat transfer
Thermal conductivity enhancement for different
nanofluids; the data points on the left-hand side of the
band are for nanofluids made of metal nanoparticles and
carbon nanotubes, whereas those on the right-hand side
of the band are for nanofluids made of metal oxide and
carbide nanoparticles. The width of the band represents
over-lapping between the two groups.
(V.I. Terekhov et al. Thermophysics and Aeromechanics, 2010, Vol.
17, No. 1)

4. Tec Star S.r.l.
Viale Europa, 40 – 41011 Campogalliano (MO), Italy
Tel. +39059 526845 – Fax +39059 527000
The table presents engineering parameters in a separate column and the nanofluid properties listed in rows.
Each cell in the table represents the strength of the effect of a particular parameter to the nanofluid’s
property with “x”, “▲”, “○”, and “■” indicating no, weak, medium, and strong dependence, respectively,
that were scored as 0.0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 correspondingly.
The relative importance of each nanofluid parameter can be estimated as a sum of the gained scores in the
table.
The nanoparticle concentration, base fluid, and particle size appear to be the most influential parameters for
improving the heat transfer efficiency of nanofluid.
Nanofluids for heat transfer
(Elena V. Timofeeva et al., Nanoscale Research Letters 2011, 6:182)

5. Tec Star S.r.l.
Viale Europa, 40 – 41011 Campogalliano (MO), Italy
Tel. +39059 526845 – Fax +39059 527000
Nanofluids: nanocoolants
The nanofluid can be used as "nanocoolants" enhancing heat transfer more than several times better
than the best competing fluid.
Engine coolants (ethylene glycol/water mixtures), engine oils, automatic transmission fluids, and other
synthetic high-temperature heat transfer fluids currently possess inherently poor heat transfer
capabilities, they could benefit from the high thermal conductivity offered by nanofluids.
Engines designed to take advantage of nanofluids' cooling properties would be able to run at more
optimal temperatures.
Nanofluids would allow for smaller, lighter radiators, pumps, and other components. Vehicles that
weigh less could travel further on the same amount of fuel (i.e., get more miles per gallon).
Properties of nanofluids:
Ultra-high thermal conductivity
Long-term stability
Extremely small particles do not clog channels
Usable in existing applications such as radiators, HVAC and electronics

6. Tec Star S.r.l.
Viale Europa, 40 – 41011 Campogalliano (MO), Italy
Tel. +39059 526845 – Fax +39059 527000
Surface
atoms
Nanoparticles
Heat transfer fluid in a pipe
Heat transfer fluid in a pipe
Nanoparticles flow while microparticlessink
The relatively large mass of the
microparticlescan damage the
pipe’s wall.
Nanoparticles have
about 20% of their
atoms near the
surface, allowing them
to absorb and transfer
heat efficiently
Microparticles
have most of their
atoms beneath the
surface, where tey
cannot participate
in heat transfer
Microparticles

7. Tec Star S.r.l.
Viale Europa, 40 – 41011 Campogalliano (MO), Italy
Tel. +39059 526845 – Fax +39059 527000
Nanofluids: smart fluid for drilling
Drilling and well completion sectors are other two oil
branches where the benefits of nanofluids and
nanomaterials application are already tangible.
Nanotechnology has opened the door to the development
of a new generation of fluids defined as “smart fluids” for
drilling, production and stimulation-related applications.
Thanks to the exceptionally high surface to volume ratio,
nanofluids and nano-based additives exhibit major
interaction with the surrounding environment even at very
low concentrations. Such smart fluids will further enhance
drilling by adding benefits such as wettability alteration,
advanced drag reduction and sand consolidation

8. Tec Star S.r.l.
Viale Europa, 40 – 41011 Campogalliano (MO), Italy
Tel. +39059 526845 – Fax +39059 527000
Nanofluids: Enhanced Oil Recovery
Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) is important because of the recent global rise in energy demand
which is expected to be met by the oil and gas industry.
The ability of nanoparticles to alter certain factors in the formation and in oil properties can be
taken advantage of to enhance recovery.
The mechanisms through which oil is enhanced using nano include change of rock wettability,
reduction of interfacial tension, reduction of oil viscosity, reduction of mobility ratio and
permeability alterations.
Some nanoparticles application in EOR will maximize recovery and boost hydrocarbon production.

9. Tec Star S.r.l.
Viale Europa, 40 – 41011 Campogalliano (MO), Italy
Tel. +39059 526845 – Fax +39059 527000
Nanofluids for enamel
WaAlOx – Water-based Nanofluid for self-mending enamel:
• WaAlOx is a nanoparticle based product for water-based
porcelain enamel for steel (in particular for low carbon steel) .
• Mixed with a glazed enamel enhances adhesion, providing a self-
mending effect against brittle crack propagation.
Field of application:
Effects of the nanoparticles on amount and size of dendrites
at the enamel-steel interface during the firing stage
INCREMENT OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES:
•mechanical resistance to bending and impact loads
•wear and scratch resistance
•low peeling effect on heavily deformed samples
•low time propagation of cracks on impacted samples
heat exchanger  corrosion control of the heating elements is a major topic
complex geometries  extraordinary adhesion and resistance to bending

10. Tec Star S.r.l.
Viale Europa, 40 – 41011 Campogalliano (MO), Italy
Tel. +39059 526845 – Fax +39059 527000
Contacts
Dr. Alberto Borghi
borghi@tec-star.it
TEC STAR Srl
Viale Europa, 40
41011 Campogalliano (MO) - Italy
Tel (+39)059.526845
Fax (+39)059.527000