Integrating Nanoscale Effects Into Micro and Macrosystems

Micro and macrosystems, as represented by microchannels and millichannels, have characteristic length scales much longer than those required to observe “size effects” manifested in nanostructures. How can one explore nanoscale effects to benefit micro and macrosystems? This paper first discusses nanoscale heat transfer effects and then uses a few examples to illustrate some potential ways to integrate nanoscale effects into micro and macrosystems.