Contact between liquids and surfaces is an everyday phenomenon, from raindrops on car windshields to paints on surfaces. Surface wettability is defined as how much liquid wets the surface and can be quantified by measuring the contact angles between liquid droplets and the surface. Sustainable and eco-friendly coatings are needed in a broad variety of industrial settings fields. However, the development of such advanced materials is hindered by shortcomings in existing technology. Here we will develop a new instrument in this project at Aalto University that can measure very small contact angles from a variety of surfaces with complex geometries. We will develop a proof-of-concept instrument, commercialization road map, and intellectual property management strategy. The instrument will be benchmarked against commercial state-of-the-art instruments. The instrument will enable new inventions related to advanced materials and devices where quality control is insufficient.

2024

2026