Applied Surface Thermodynamics

拟议的研究涉及液体和固体表面之间的相互作用。这一课题的应用包括不粘涂层、防雨服、粘合剂、洗涤剂、小型医疗设备、燃料电池的连续运行以及影响许多早产儿的呼吸窘迫综合征的治疗。尽管其重要性，但目前关于液体如何在固体表面上扩散的理论只处理高度理想化的情况，不适合实际应用。此外，过时的实验方法仍然普遍使用。该研究的主要目的是将理论扩展到实际的工程条件，并提高申请人实验室开发的现代测量工具的可用性，以鼓励更广泛的采用。研究的一部分是调查固体表面粗糙度对液体扩散性质的显著影响，在某些情况下导致“自清洁”表面。此外，测量液体表面张力等关键特性的实验方法将得到改进，以提高准确性和可靠性，并将巩固实验知识，以造福未来的研究人员。

The proposed research concerns the interactions between liquids and solid surfaces. Applications of this subject include non-stick coatings, rain wear, adhesives, detergents, miniaturized medical devices, the continuous operation of fuel cells, and treatments for Respiratory Distress Syndrome, a condition affecting many premature babies.Despite its importance, the current theory for how liquids spread on solid surfaces deals only with highly idealized situations that are not appropriate for practical applications; as well, dated experimental methods are still commonly used. The general thrusts of the research are to extend the theory to realistic engineering conditions, and to improve the usability of modern measurement tools, developed in the applicant's laboratory, so as to encourage wider adoption.Part of the research is an investigation of the dramatic effects that solid surface roughness can have on the nature of liquid spreading, leading in certain cases to "self-cleaning" surfaces. In addition, experimental methods for measuring key properties, such as liquid surface tension, will be refined for accuracy and reliability, and experimental know-how will be consolidated for the benefit of future researchers.