Advances in thermal transport properties at nanoscale in China

Abstract Thermal transport properties are a significant criterion of performance evaluation for various fascinating nanoscale materials. In this review, we summarize the recent research progresses from China in the field of nanoscale thermal transport properties. Both experimental advances and atomic-level simulation development are reviewed for typical categories of nanoscale materials and structures, i.e. , nanotubes and nanowires, nanofilms, nano-interfaces, nano-functional materials and those involving in near field radiation. Some fascinating aspects about the frontier issues in nanoscale heat transfer are also highlighted. In particular, researches have witnessed a remarkable growth in the interface-dominated microscopic thermal transport from both molecular dynamics simulation and experimental methods. In addition, challenges and opportunities will be touched on for the emerging field of near-field radiation. Which is dominated by simulation predictions but with encouraging experimental advances.