Fluid-driven approaches for precision surface patterning

Dr Sepideh Khodaparast (University of Leeds)

Thursday 8th February 14:00-15:00 Maths 311B / Zoom (ID: 894 0173 1730)

Abstract

Micro/nano-patterned surfaces have found increasing applications in various emerging technologies thanks to their supreme functionalities related to wetting, self-cleaning, adhesion, acoustics and interactions with biological entities. Developing practical techniques to fabricate larger areas of such surfaces in a well-controlled and cost-effective manner, however, remains challenging. Currently, most surface patterning approaches rely on top-down fabrication methods that are not only costly but suffer from limited scalability. This talk discusses alternative bottom-up approaches for micro/nano-patterning of polymeric and organic plant-based coatings. After a brief introduction to biomimetic engineering, this presentation will showcase examples of how natural inspirations can guide us to achieve functional design and sustainable manufacturing of scalable structured surfaces. I will discuss spontaneous yet predictable interfacial architectures generated through fluid-based methods that exploit thermodynamic phase change processes. I will present diverse nano- and micro-scale patterns generated through condensation and crystallisation. Finally, I will demonstrate wetting and interfacial functionalities emerging from such surface structures. 

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