Advances in the Development of New Heat Transfer Fluids Based on Nanofluids

The global energy and environmental crises are the most urgent issues confronting humanity in the coming years. The complexity of the problems involved necessitates employing different strategies in a wide range of scientific and technological topics. In this context, the last ten years have seen the development of great interest in new, high-efficiency heat transfer fluids, capable of improving the performance and efficiency of energy systems used in civil, industrial, electronics, and transport sectors, namely: nanofluids. Nanofluids are colloidal suspensions made of a traditional base fluid (water, oil, etc.) and suspended solid nanoparticles (Al2O3, CuO, etc.) that can improve the thermal conductivity and heat transfer properties of the base fluids. A brief analysis of recent research about nanofluids is presented.