Droplet repellency of microfabricated surfaces in saturated environments

This thesis reports changes in apparent contact angles for droplets of various liquids on microstructured surfaces in saturated environments. Micro scale pillar surfaces maintain the non-wetting Cassie-Baxter regime for drops of water over a range of saturation temperatures while micro scale waffles transition into a partially wetted state under the same conditions. Micro scale mushroom and waffle surfaces are able to maintain oleophobic behavior for droplets in a saturated environment with a concentration of up to 50% R-134a. The surfaces described in this thesis could be used to significantly improve devices that rely upon a liquid-vapor interface, including two-phase heat exchangers, water purification systems, and microfluidic devices.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Torrealba, Eduardo

Contributors dc:contributor

• King, William P.

• hydrophobic
• omniphobic

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2013 Eduardo Torrealba

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/45573

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/45573