Surface Friction and Energy Modeling

[Raazi]

Hi,

I am a student interested in wetting and super-hydrophobic surfaces. I am very new to this field and am a software engineer, and as such do not have strong mechanical or chemical background. I am trying to model contact angle and surface energy for super-hydrophobic surfaces. However my approach is a bit unconventional, I am trying to develop a system for using height-maps from SEM images and am trying to relate contact angle and surface energy to actual features on the microscopic landscape. I am a bit confused as to what the exact relationship is and am have difficulty finding peer-review resources related to this matter. Specifically regarding modeling the contact angle and surface energy from specific features on the surface.

PS: Are 3D extrapolations useful for microscopic and nano-scale images used in any ongoing research?

Regards,

Raazi

 

[Achy47]

Hi Raazi,

It's great to hear that you are interested in wetting and super-hydrophobic surfaces! As a scientist in this field, I can offer some guidance and resources to help you better understand the relationship between contact angle, surface energy, and surface features.

Firstly, contact angle is a measure of the degree to which a liquid spreads or beads up on a solid surface. It is influenced by both the surface energy of the solid and the interfacial tension between the liquid and the solid. Generally, a higher contact angle indicates a more hydrophobic surface, meaning that the liquid has a harder time wetting the surface.

Surface energy, on the other hand, is a measure of the energy required to create a unit area of a surface. It is influenced by the chemical composition and physical structure of the surface. Super-hydrophobic surfaces have a low surface energy, which is why they repel water so effectively.

In terms of modeling contact angle and surface energy from specific features on the surface, there are several approaches that can be taken. One approach is to use analytical or computational models, such as the Young-Laplace equation, to calculate the contact angle based on the surface energy and interfacial tension. Another approach is to use experimental techniques, such as contact angle goniometry, to directly measure the contact angle and surface energy.

As for your question about 3D extrapolations, they can be useful for microscopic and nano-scale images in ongoing research. With advances in microscopy technology, it is now possible to obtain 3D images of surfaces at these scales. These images can provide valuable information about the surface features and their influence on contact angle and surface energy.

I recommend checking out some peer-reviewed journals such as Langmuir, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, and Applied Surface Science for more information on the relationship between contact angle, surface energy, and surface features. Additionally, attending conferences or workshops in this field can also be helpful in gaining a better understanding of the latest research and techniques.

I hope this information helps you in your research. Best of luck!

Regards,