Heat transfer analysis for cooling discrete heat source in microchannel equipped with flexible baffles using Al2O3-Cu /water hybrid nanofluid

Numerical simulations are conducted to study heat transfer and flow dynamics in a microchannel with three constant-temperature heat sources (Left, Middle, and Right) and flexible baffles. The left and right heat sources are placed above baffles that align with fluid flow. Hybrid Al₂O₃-Cu nanoparticles are employed to improve thermal performance, with the effects of Reynolds number (Re), nanoparticle concentration (ϕ), Young's modulus (E), and baffle orientation systematically analyzed. The Middle heat source demonstrates superior thermal efficiency, achieving a peak heat transfer coefficient of 51.285 kW/m²·K at ϕ = 5 %, Re = 60, and E = 200 kPa. The difference in heat transfer efficiency between the left and right sources is induced by the effect of the orientation of the baffles relative to the fluid flow in the channel. Higher Reynolds numbers improve convection, leading in a 34.8 % improvement in the Middle Source over lower Re values. The increasing of nanoparticle concentration from 0 % to 5 % improves the efficiency of heat transfer by 10 % for the left source. Intermediate baffle flexibility improves disturbance generation and maintain a stable structure and flow mixing. These results offer important prospects for the development of microchannel systems for innovative cooling applications in electronics.