Courses taught by Prof. Chen Li
Introduces basic concepts and applications of thermodynamics relevant to mechanical engineering. Topics include work and energy, the first law of thermodynamics, properties of pure substances, system and control volume analysis, the Carnot cycle, heat and refrigeration cycles, the second law of thermodynamics, entropy, and reversible and irreversible processes.
Topics include the second law of thermodynamics, entropy function, entropy production, analysis of cycles, vapor power systems, gas power systems, refrigeration and heat pump systems, equations of state, thermodynamic property relations, ideal gas mixtures and psychrometrics, multicomponent systems, combustion, and reacting mixtures.
Topics include vector representation of kinematics and kinetics of particles; Newton's laws of motion; force-mass-acceleration, work-energy, and impulse-momentum methods; kinetics of systems of particles and kinematics; and kinetics of rigid bodies.
Explores fundamental processes of energy transport and conversion at short length and time scales. Introduces classical and quantum-mechanical size effects on electrons, phonons, and photons. Topics include modes of energy storage, coupling between energy carriers, and electrical and thermal transport using the Boltzmann transport equation and/or kinetic theory.
Topics include effective teaching methods, such as those involved in leading discussion sections and preparing and grading examinations, and student-instructor relations in lower- and upper-division Mechanical Engineering courses.
Covers the laws of thermodynamics and fundamental equations for multi-component elastic solids, electromagnetic media, and equilibrium criteria. Describes applications to solution thermodynamics, point defects in solids, elastic effects, phase diagrams, transitions, and interfaces. Includes nucleation theory, kinetics (diffusion of heat, mass, and charge), and coupled flows.