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Superhydrophobic Coatings @ Singapore Institute of Manufacting Technology (SIMTech)
Project Details
A. Brief Description of Project The aim of this project is to create superhydrophobic coatings. These coatings are also known as water-fearing surfaces, where water tries to minimize contact with a surface. It is possible to evaluate the hydrophobicity of a surface by measuring the water contact angle created between the water droplet and the surface. A super-hydrophobic material will have a contact angle that is greater than 150 degrees. Upon contact with a super-hydrophobic surface, a water droplet will ball up instead of spreading out on the surface. This reduces the area of the water droplet that will be in contact with the surface of the solid, hence increasing the water contact angle.
B. Results At the end of the project, we learnt how to create and apply a superhydrophobic solution using Aeroxide Lotus Effect powder (superhydrophobic substrate), polystyrene and tetrahydrofuran (THF, solvent for dissolving polystyrene). Using the skills and techniques that we picked up, we created a game (namely Water Hockey). This game follows the basic rules of ice hockey, where 2 players will try to score against the other using a hockey stick. The hockey field is made by using a normal cardboard box, and the hockey sticks are made of metal paper clips. Both the hockey field and the hockey sticks are coated with the superhydrophobic coating, while the ice hockey puck is replaced with a droplet of water.
C. Reflection
Three content knowledge/skills that we have learnt
1. Firstly, of course, we learnt about the working principles behind superhydrophobic properties. In a nutshell, superhydrophobic properties are observed when the molecules on the surface do not prefer to form bonds with water molecules, and vice versa. This results in the beading up of the water droplet, allowing the water droplet to slide across the surface easily.
2. Secondly, we learnt the technique of applying the superhydrophobic coatings , and that is by using a rod coater. Two people is better than one. We need to roll the coater across the surface evenly while adding solution using a glass dropper, all at the same time; it will be disastrous if we are to do it without a partner.
3. Most importantly, we experienced working together with other researchers in a chemical laboratory for the first time. Working in a fume cupboard, while wearing full lab equipment may sound nothing out of the ordinary, but it has really enriched our insights to this career group.
Two interesting aspects about our learning
1. In this project, we learnt that when researchers are dwelling in the unknown areas of science, a big part of it comes under trial and error. Though superhydrophobic coatings are known to the scientists in the world, we were left to explore ourselves. Though trial and error and brainstorming, we discovered new concepts and techniques to improve the coating using our prior knowledge in the sciences. After which, most are proved to be correct by our external mentor.
2. Yet another aspect of our learning in SIMTech is that researchers are fun-loving people as well. While working in the chemical lab, researchers are all doing their own work, and would discuss outside the lab, so not to disturb the other researchers. At first, we got rather stressed up due to the silence. However, after the first time when we step into the staff lounge, we saw the same serious people having fun around the foosball table, while some were chit-chatting with a cup of drink in their hands. Then we realized that these are people who truly know when to be serious and when to play hard.
One take-away for life
1. Through this experience of an attachment to an external research company, we understood that there is always time to play, but we have to settle down and do our work, so as to accommodate with the people around us.
| Organisation: | Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech) |
| Mentor: | Mrs Koh Chern Ee, Dr Koh Yaw Koon |
| Members: | Andrea Ip Yin Tong, Low Zhi Hong |
| Project Title: | Superhydrophobic Coatings |
A. Brief Description of Project The aim of this project is to create superhydrophobic coatings. These coatings are also known as water-fearing surfaces, where water tries to minimize contact with a surface. It is possible to evaluate the hydrophobicity of a surface by measuring the water contact angle created between the water droplet and the surface. A super-hydrophobic material will have a contact angle that is greater than 150 degrees. Upon contact with a super-hydrophobic surface, a water droplet will ball up instead of spreading out on the surface. This reduces the area of the water droplet that will be in contact with the surface of the solid, hence increasing the water contact angle.
B. Results At the end of the project, we learnt how to create and apply a superhydrophobic solution using Aeroxide Lotus Effect powder (superhydrophobic substrate), polystyrene and tetrahydrofuran (THF, solvent for dissolving polystyrene). Using the skills and techniques that we picked up, we created a game (namely Water Hockey). This game follows the basic rules of ice hockey, where 2 players will try to score against the other using a hockey stick. The hockey field is made by using a normal cardboard box, and the hockey sticks are made of metal paper clips. Both the hockey field and the hockey sticks are coated with the superhydrophobic coating, while the ice hockey puck is replaced with a droplet of water.
C. Reflection
Three content knowledge/skills that we have learnt
1. Firstly, of course, we learnt about the working principles behind superhydrophobic properties. In a nutshell, superhydrophobic properties are observed when the molecules on the surface do not prefer to form bonds with water molecules, and vice versa. This results in the beading up of the water droplet, allowing the water droplet to slide across the surface easily.
2. Secondly, we learnt the technique of applying the superhydrophobic coatings , and that is by using a rod coater. Two people is better than one. We need to roll the coater across the surface evenly while adding solution using a glass dropper, all at the same time; it will be disastrous if we are to do it without a partner.
3. Most importantly, we experienced working together with other researchers in a chemical laboratory for the first time. Working in a fume cupboard, while wearing full lab equipment may sound nothing out of the ordinary, but it has really enriched our insights to this career group.
Two interesting aspects about our learning
1. In this project, we learnt that when researchers are dwelling in the unknown areas of science, a big part of it comes under trial and error. Though superhydrophobic coatings are known to the scientists in the world, we were left to explore ourselves. Though trial and error and brainstorming, we discovered new concepts and techniques to improve the coating using our prior knowledge in the sciences. After which, most are proved to be correct by our external mentor.
2. Yet another aspect of our learning in SIMTech is that researchers are fun-loving people as well. While working in the chemical lab, researchers are all doing their own work, and would discuss outside the lab, so not to disturb the other researchers. At first, we got rather stressed up due to the silence. However, after the first time when we step into the staff lounge, we saw the same serious people having fun around the foosball table, while some were chit-chatting with a cup of drink in their hands. Then we realized that these are people who truly know when to be serious and when to play hard.
One take-away for life
1. Through this experience of an attachment to an external research company, we understood that there is always time to play, but we have to settle down and do our work, so as to accommodate with the people around us.
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