Nonlinear function estimation fuzzy system (NFEFS) as a novel statistical approach to estimate nanofluids' thermal conductivity according to empirical data

Purpose This paper aims to propose a new nonlinear function estimation fuzzy system as a novel statistical approach to estimate nanofluids' thermal conductivity. Design/methodology/approach A fuzzy system having a product inference engine, a singleton fuzzifier, a center average defuzzifier and Gaussian membership functions is proposed for this purpose. Findings Results indicate that the proposed fuzzy system can predict the thermal conductivity of Al2O3/paraffin nanofluid with appropriate precision and generalization and it also outperforms the classic interpolation methods. Originality/value A new nonlinear function estimation fuzzy system was introduced as a novel statistical approach to estimate nanofluids' thermal conductivity for the first time.