Dr. Van Carey

Professor

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Biography

Professor Van Carey is widely recognized for his research on near-interface micro-scale phenomena, thermophysics, and the transport of liquid-vapor systems. He joined the Berkeley faculty in 1982, and his research has spanned a variety of application areas including fuel cells, solar power systems, vehicle air conditioning, forging, casting aluminum, phase change thermal energy storage, and the Rankine cycle power system for manned space missions. His contributions also extend to heat pipes in aerospace applications, high heat flux cooling for electronics, heat transfer in porous burners, and energy efficiency in data centers. His primary research interests include energy conversion transport; heat and mass transfer; non-equilibrium phase change phenomena; microscale thermophysics and multiphase systems; boiling phenomena in binary mixtures; and computational modeling and simulation of energy conversion transport processes. As part of his work, he has explored the use of waste heat to improve sustainability in manufacturing processes and developed enhanced methods for water droplet vaporization using nanostructured surfaces to improve performance in air-cooled power plant condensers.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor

1982-01-01 — Present

University of California, Berkeley • Berkeley, CA

Teaching and guiding research in the field of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering.

Requirements for University of California, Berkeley

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GRE Subject
Overall Score
Required:500
Overall
Required:500
TOEFL
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent Preparation comparable to undergraduate major at Berkeley in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics 2 full years lower-division work (Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Multivariable Calculus) 8 one-semester upper-division courses (Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Linear Algebra)
Application Checklist
  • Graduate Application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • C.V./Resume
  • Course and Textbook List
Specialization Notes

The Mathematics Subject GRE is required for the Fall 2026 admissions cycle. General GRE is optional.