Article: Bibliometric insights into spray cooling research: trends, applications, and future directions Journal: International Journal of Hydromechatronics (IJHM) 2026 Vol.9 No.5 pp.1 - 31 Abstract: Spray cooling has attracted significant attention as an effective thermal management technique for electronic devices and high heat flux density chips. In this paper, CiteSpace and VOSviewer were adopted to quantitatively analyse the literature on spray cooling, pinpointing research hotspots and recent advancements. Based on the Web of Science database, 956 articles published between 2008 and 2024 were examined. A visual bibliometric analysis was conducted by CiteSpace and VOSviewer, encompassing the spatio-temporal distribution of publications, collaborations, keywords, and citation metrics. The results indicate that China, the USA, and India are the leading contributors in this field. Current research trends are shifting from traditional spray cooling towards applications in aerospace, high-performance computing, and medical aesthetics, advancing the technology toward multifunctional, eco-friendly, and sustainable directions. Furthermore, keyword clustering analysis was performed to explore prospective research trajectories. This study provides scholars a comprehensive understanding of current research hotspots and emerging trends in spray cooling. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Bibliometric insights into spray cooling research: trends, applications, and future directions

Authors: Xiaolong Chang; Yasong Sun; Yifan Wang; Jing Ma

Addresses: Shaanxi Key Laboratory of New Transportation Energy and Automotive Energy Saving, School of Energy and Electrical Engineering, Chang'an University, Xi'an 710064, China ' Xi'an Advanced Transportation Power Key Laboratory, School of Power and Electric Engineering, Chang'an University, Xi'an 710064, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Aerodynamics and Thermal Environment Simulation for Ground Transportation Vehicles, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, China; Provincial Engineering Research Center for New Energy Vehicle Intelligent Control and Simulation Test Technology of Sichuan, Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, China ' School of Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China ' School of Automobile, Chang'an University, Xi'an 710064, China; Université Marie et Louis Pasteur, UTBM, CNRS, FEMTO-ST Institute, F-90000, Belfort, France

Abstract: Spray cooling has attracted significant attention as an effective thermal management technique for electronic devices and high heat flux density chips. In this paper, CiteSpace and VOSviewer were adopted to quantitatively analyse the literature on spray cooling, pinpointing research hotspots and recent advancements. Based on the Web of Science database, 956 articles published between 2008 and 2024 were examined. A visual bibliometric analysis was conducted by CiteSpace and VOSviewer, encompassing the spatio-temporal distribution of publications, collaborations, keywords, and citation metrics. The results indicate that China, the USA, and India are the leading contributors in this field. Current research trends are shifting from traditional spray cooling towards applications in aerospace, high-performance computing, and medical aesthetics, advancing the technology toward multifunctional, eco-friendly, and sustainable directions. Furthermore, keyword clustering analysis was performed to explore prospective research trajectories. This study provides scholars a comprehensive understanding of current research hotspots and emerging trends in spray cooling.

Keywords: spray cooling; bibliometrics; cluster analysis; thermal management; keyword evolution.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHM.2026.152865

International Journal of Hydromechatronics, 2026 Vol.9 No.5, pp.1 - 31

Received: 19 Sep 2025
Accepted: 22 Dec 2025
Published online: 13 Apr 2026 *

Title: Bibliometric insights into spray cooling research: trends, applications, and future directions

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