Interfacial phenomena research is centered on the fundamental interactions between
a thin film, its vapor, and a solid substrate. Most of the work is focused
on thin liquid films, although we also work on the stability of thin solid films
too. Below I list the various research projects we have in this area.
Stability of Thin Solid Films
- research in this area is focused on how initially contiguous
thin solid films either buckle or break up and agglomerate when deposited on
solid or nanoporous substrates. We are also interested in how films roughen
and develop a particular microstrcuture during deposition and growth.
Stability of Solid Films
Roughness Evolution and Growth of a-Si
Thin Liquid Films - research
in this area is focused on how thin liquid films on surfaces behave. The
work is supported by NASA and forms the basis
of a microgravity flight experiment,
the first such experiment to be flown on the International
Space Station. Of particular interest are contact line dynamics when
phase change is occurring. Projects in this area include:
Image Analyzing Interferometry
Drop Dynamics During Evaporation and Condensation
Effect of Surfactants on Contact Line Dynamics During Spreading