Microscale Origins of Wetting in Complex Systems

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9411900 Garoff Wetting of a surface by a fluid arises in many natural and technical settings. Despite its common occurrence, wetting is neither completely understood nor entirely controllable in technical processes. The open scientific questions arise from the sensitivity to the detailed physics and chemistry of the interfaces involved. Using optical, x-ray, and neutron techniques, the Principal Investigators will investigate wetting phenomena on both the macroscopic and microscopic scales. The proposal seeks to understand the origins of the complex, macroscopic wetting behavior within the microscopic structures of fluids confined by the interfaces at and near the contact line. % % % % Wetting of a surface by a fluid arises in many natural and technological settings such as recovery of fluid fossil fuels, film coating, and the processing of advanced composite materials. Despite its common occurrence, wetting is neither completely understood nor entirely controllable in technical processes. The program will study the microscopic origins of wetting processes using a variety of experimental techniques, including neutron and x-rays scattering performed at national facilities. Results of the proposed research will add to the scientific basis needed for engineering advanced materials and for other technological processes dominated by wetting. ***