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Prof G McHale
Applications accepted all year round
Self-Funded PhD Students Only
About the Project
The Lotus leaf is known for its ability to keep clean. This is because at a microscopic level its surface is composed of waxy bumps which water and other liquids simply roll across. Superhydrophobic surfaces use micro- and nanoscale roughness to amplify the water repellency of the surface chemistry. When the surface chemistry hydrophilic then the surface roughness has the opposite effect and causes water to spread into a film across the surface.
Previous research by the group has focused on materials methods for developing superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic surfaces and on their drag reducing and other properties when immersed in water (www.naturesraincoats.com). This project will start by using high speed video to look at how droplets and jets of water rebound from superhydrophobic surfaces. It will also consider the impact and rebound of droplets and jets on super-slippy surfaces creating by infusing a rough surface with another immiscible liquid – a so-called self-healing liquid infused surface.
The successful candidate will work with experts in solid-liquid interactions based within the Department of Physics & Electrical Engineering to study these new approaches to liquid-based optics. The research will complement work on superhydrophobic surfaces, electrowetting and dielectrowetting being funded by the UK Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and undertaken with colleagues at Nottingham Trent University.
Enquiries regarding this studentship should be made to Professor Glen McHale, [Email Address Removed]. Further information about the group’s research is available at www.naturesraincoats.com
Applicants should hold a first or upper second class honours degree (in a relevant subject) from a UK higher education institution, or equivalent. Students who are not UK/EU residents are eligible to apply, provided they hold the relevant academic qualifications, together with an IELTS score of at least 6.5
You should apply using the University’s Research Application Form, available via the link on this page.
Previous research by the group has focused on materials methods for developing superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic surfaces and on their drag reducing and other properties when immersed in water (www.naturesraincoats.com). This project will start by using high speed video to look at how droplets and jets of water rebound from superhydrophobic surfaces. It will also consider the impact and rebound of droplets and jets on super-slippy surfaces creating by infusing a rough surface with another immiscible liquid – a so-called self-healing liquid infused surface.
The successful candidate will work with experts in solid-liquid interactions based within the Department of Physics & Electrical Engineering to study these new approaches to liquid-based optics. The research will complement work on superhydrophobic surfaces, electrowetting and dielectrowetting being funded by the UK Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and undertaken with colleagues at Nottingham Trent University.
Enquiries regarding this studentship should be made to Professor Glen McHale, [Email Address Removed]. Further information about the group’s research is available at www.naturesraincoats.com
Applicants should hold a first or upper second class honours degree (in a relevant subject) from a UK higher education institution, or equivalent. Students who are not UK/EU residents are eligible to apply, provided they hold the relevant academic qualifications, together with an IELTS score of at least 6.5
You should apply using the University’s Research Application Form, available via the link on this page.
Funding Notes
Self-Funded PhD students only. If you have the correct qualifications and access to your own funding, either from your home country or your own finances, your application to work with this supervisor will be considered.
References
McHale, G., Shirtcliffe, N. J., Evans, C. R. & Newton, M. I. (2009). Terminal velocity and drag reduction measurements on superhydrophobic spheres. Applied Physics Letters. Vol. 94, art. 064104.
McHale, G., Newton, M. I. & Shirtcliffe, N. J.(2010). Immersed superhydrophobic surfaces: Gas exchange, slip and drag reduction properties. Soft Matter. Vol. 6, 714–719.
Quéré, D. (2008). Wetting and roughness. Annual Review of Materials Research. Vol. 38, 71–99.
Reyssat, M., Richard, D., Clanet, C. & Quéré, D. (2010). Dynamical superhydrophobicity. Faraday Discussions. Vol. 146, 19–33.
Shirtcliffe, N. J., McHale, G., Atherton, S. & Newton, M. I. (2010). An introduction to superhydrophobicity. Advances in Colloid and Interface Science . Vol. 161, 124–138.
Shirtcliffe, N. J., McHale, G. & Newton, M. I. (2011). The superhydrophobicity of polymer surfaces: Recent developments. Journal of Polymer Science Part B: Polymer Physics. Vol. 49, 1203-1217.
Wong, T.S., Kang, S.H., Tang, S.K., Smythe, E.J., Hatton, B.D., Grinthal, A., Aizenberg, J. (2011). Bioinspired self-repairing slippery surfaces with pressure-stable omniphobicity. Nature. Vol. 477, 443-447.
Group research papers are available at http://www.naturesraincoats.com.
McHale, G., Newton, M. I. & Shirtcliffe, N. J.(2010). Immersed superhydrophobic surfaces: Gas exchange, slip and drag reduction properties. Soft Matter. Vol. 6, 714–719.
Quéré, D. (2008). Wetting and roughness. Annual Review of Materials Research. Vol. 38, 71–99.
Reyssat, M., Richard, D., Clanet, C. & Quéré, D. (2010). Dynamical superhydrophobicity. Faraday Discussions. Vol. 146, 19–33.
Shirtcliffe, N. J., McHale, G., Atherton, S. & Newton, M. I. (2010). An introduction to superhydrophobicity. Advances in Colloid and Interface Science . Vol. 161, 124–138.
Shirtcliffe, N. J., McHale, G. & Newton, M. I. (2011). The superhydrophobicity of polymer surfaces: Recent developments. Journal of Polymer Science Part B: Polymer Physics. Vol. 49, 1203-1217.
Wong, T.S., Kang, S.H., Tang, S.K., Smythe, E.J., Hatton, B.D., Grinthal, A., Aizenberg, J. (2011). Bioinspired self-repairing slippery surfaces with pressure-stable omniphobicity. Nature. Vol. 477, 443-447.
Group research papers are available at http://www.naturesraincoats.com.
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