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A droplet of water deposited on a solid may spread into a film or remain a droplet according to whether the surface is hydrophilic or hydrophobic. However, texturing a surface at a micro- or nanoscale amplifies the effect of the surface chemistry and can cause the droplet to completely ball up and roll-off, or to be pulled out into a film which it would not normally form. In this project, transitions of materials between non-porous and porous states will be studied with the transition depending on the surface topography and surface hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity. Pseudo two-dimensional surfaces will be lithographically fabricated with shaped surface protrusions (e.g. triangular when viewed from above) arranged in regular lattices (e.g. square and hexagonal). For wetting liquids, the extra surface area from the sides of protrusions is expected to cause liquids to be drawn into the structure (“hemi-wicking”). Alignment of faces of features may lead to faceted shapes and pinning/depinning transitions. High speed video images of the imbibition of the liquid will be recorded and analyzed for both the average inflow and for pinning/de-pinning transitions. This project will combine fundamental science with structures having potential: i) passive “pumping” (point-of-care diagnostics), ii) liquid separation (analytical applications) and iii) controlled printed patterns (displays) and is suitable for research students with backgrounds in engineering, physical or materials sciences. Further information on the physics of this problem is available at http://www.naturesraincoats.com/.
Enquiries regarding this studentship should be made to Karen Vacher at iz.research-admin@northumbria.ac.uk
Applicants should hold a first or upper second class honours degree (in a relevant subject) from a British 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. Applications should be submitted to:
Karen Vacher
Senior Administrator, Research,
School of Computing, Engineering and Information Sciences
Northumbria University
Email: iz.research-admin@northumbria.ac.uk
Tel: 0191 227 3244
Funding Notes:
The studentship includes a full stipend, paid for three years at RCUK rates (figure for 2012/13 is 13,590 pa) and home fees.
References:
N. J. Shirtcliffe, G. McHale, S. Atherton, M. I. Newton, An introduction to superhydrophobicity, Adv. In Coll. Interf. Sci. 161 (2010) 124-38.
G. McHale, M.I. Newton and N.J Shirtcliffe, Dynamic wetting and spreading and the role of topography, J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 21 (46) (2009) art. 464122.
G. McHale, N.J. Shirtcliffe, S. Aqil, et al., Topography driven spreading, Phys. Rev. Lett. 93 (3) (2004) art. 036102.