Rodrigo Cavalcanti Alvarez

Rodrigo Cavalcanti Alvarez is a PhD student in nuclear science and engineering whose research is focused on thermal sciences and the scientific development of the energy field to advance low-carbon electricity generation. Specifically, Rodrigo investigates the process of boiling heat transfer and critical heat flux (CHF), a critical parameter for design and safety considerations. The broad aim of his work is to characterize the physics of boiling with enhanced efficiency and accuracy through advanced optical diagnostics, for which he has utilized and created numerous MATLAB tools. Supported by a MathWorks Fellowship, Rodrigo is conducting experiments in the fundamental physics of boiling, utilizing two high-speed video cameras and one high-speed infrared camera, alongside sensors and hardware components. This setup records the boiling process occurring on a transparent, nano-engineered heating surface with exceptional detail, offering insights into boiling at an extremely high spatial resolution and frame rate. Rodrigo’s research has the potential to mitigate the uncertainties in CHF predictions for nuclear reactors, potentially enhancing energy production efficiency and addressing the global need for low-carbon electricity production.