Enhanced heat transport in thermal convection with suspensions of rod-like expandable particles

Thermal convection of fluid is a more efficient way than diffusion to carry heat from hot sources cold places. Here, we experimentally study the Rayleigh–Bénard aqueous glycerol solution in cubic cell with suspensions rod-like particles made polydimethylsiloxane. The are inertial due their large thermal expansion coefficient and finite sizes. three times larger that background fluid. This contrast makes suspended lighter local regions heavier regions. transport enhanced at relatively Rayleigh number ( $\textit {Ra}$ ) but reduced small . We demonstrate increase Nusselt arises particle–boundary layer interactions: act as ‘active’ mixers flow temperature fields across boundary layers.