In this study, heat transfer and thermal performance of a periodically dimple-protrusion patterned surface have been investigated to enhance energy-efficiency in compact heat exchangers. The local heat transfer coefficients on the dimple/protrusion walls are derived using a transient TLC (Thermochromic Liquid Crystal) technique. The periodically patterned surface is applied to the bottom wall only or both the bottom and top walls in the test duct. The ratio of dimple (or protrusion) depth to duct height is 0.25, and the ratio of duct height to dimple (or protrusion) print diameter is 1.15. The Reynolds number is tested in low range values from 1000 to 10000. On the single-side patterned walls, various secondary flows generated from the dimple/protrusion coexist. The vortices induced from the upstream affect strongly on the downstream pattern. For the double-side patterned wall case, vortex interaction affected by the opposite wall enhances highly the heat transfer. The heat transfer augmentation is higher in the lower Reynolds number due to the effective vortex interactions. Therefore, the performance factor considering both heat transfer enhancement and pressure loss increases with decreasing the Reynolds number. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.