The Laboratory for Thermal Transport and Storage (LET+S) seeks to better understand fundamental fluid dynamic and heat transfer processes, and use this insight to make more efficient thermal energy systems.  Our lab uses a combination of experimental and modeling techniques to make these advances, which feed into a variety of applications including nuclear power production and building energy systems.  Our lab is part of a collaborative research group at University of Wisconsin – Madison called the Solar Energy Laboratory.

At the LET+S, we lead and contribute to projects that:

  • Enable us to shift and shave building electrical loads with thermal energy storage, allowing for a more renewable and sustainable electricity grid.
  • Increase the efficiency of thermal equipment to reduce the energy required for a variety of processes, from industrial manufacturing to home heating and cooling.
  • Facilitate the transition to electrified buildings by developing heat pump systems that can work in a wide range of climates
  • Improve reactor safety in nuclear power production

Our overall goal is to develop safe and effective thermal systems that provide a benefit to society while helping our world transition to a low-carbon energy future.

Lab News

  • Presented two-phase flow work at GRC

    Dr. Mahvi and Joe Farrell presented some of our work on annular two-phase flow at the Micro and Nanoscale Phase Change Gordon Research Conference in January.

  • HVAC

    Mahvi awarded funds to advance cold-climate heat pumps

    Mechanical Engineering Assistant Professor Allison Mahvi was recently selected for a $2M award from the Department of Energy to develop a more sustainable heat pump that can replace existing, less efficient boilers in older buildings.  …

  • Naleah Boys awarded research fellowship

    Naleah was awarded the Faustin Prinz Undergraduate Research Fellowship.  The fellowship supports undergraduate Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Mechanics students who want to develop a research project with ME or EM faculty, get access to cutting-edge …

  • Welcomed Jack to the group!

    We are excited to welcome our newest member, Jack Prout, to the group! Jack is a Masters student in Mechanical Engineering. He received her BS in Mechanical Engineering from University of Wisconsin in 2024. His …

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