Thin Films and Self-Assembly Near Contact Lines: Their Structure and Control of Wetting

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9802290 Garoff This is small group research proposal involving in two physicists and an engineer. The project will investigate phenomena occurring in the microscopic region near the three-phase contact line where a solid, a wetting liquid and the vapor phase meet. In complex or multi- component fluids, it is qualitatively known that the relative concentration and self-assembly of the components near the contact line and in the thin film differ from those in the bulk or on the interface far from the contact line. However, there is scant quantitative information about what is going on. Using ultrahigh vacuum, optical, x-ray, neutron and atomic force microscopy techniques the researchers will investigate the unique microscopic structures of these films and self-assemblies, and probe how they control macroscopic wetting phenomena. The project will integrate studies of high temperature, metallic systems with studies of room temperature, aqueous and organic systems. The research will improve the understanding of how fluids behave in confined environments and will generally improve our knowledge of how fluids wet and flow over surfaces. The multidisciplinary character of the project provides excellent training for graduate students, preparing them for careers in a range of technical areas. The research is fundamental, but its application to technology in many areas, such as printing and mechanics, is immediate and of high importance. %%% This is small group research proposal involving in two physicists and an engineer. The research is focused on how a fluid wets and flows on a surface. This is a complex problem which is of fundamental importance. It also has great technical importance in areas such as lubrication, detergents, etc. The research group will use ultrahigh vacuum, optical, x-ray, neutron and atomic force microscopy techniques the researchers wi ll investigate the unique microscopic structures of these films and self assemblies, and probe how they control macroscopic wetting phenomena. The project will integrate studies of high temperature, metallic systems with studies of room temperature, aqueous and organic systems. The multidisciplinary character of the project provides excellent training for graduate students, preparing them for careers in a range of technical areas. The research is fundamental, but its application to technology in many areas, such as printing and mechanics, is immediate and of high importance. ***