Direct nanofluids configuration optimization based on the evolutionary topology optimization method

•Evolutionary topology optimization algorithm is used for nanofluids optimization.•Random distribution of nanoparticles well simulates practical nanofluids.•Optimized nanoparticle configuration is continuous high-conductivity strips.•The strips are with a width of nanoparticle size and length of system size.•Strips formed by larger nanoparticles of larger volume fractions perform better.