Document Type

Thesis

Publication Date

Spring 4-15-2011

Advisor

Nathan Crane

Advisor Email

crane@usf.edu

Abstract

The electrowetting field expanded drastically during the last decade. It combines several laws and theories out of which Young's equation, Cassie law and Wenzel law. The main focus of electrowetting is the transition between a superhydrophobic state -Cassie- and a hydrophilic state -Wenzel-. This transition allows a wide range of applications such as microfluidics, lab-on-a-chip devices, chemical microreactors and management of microelectronics.

The purpose of this research is to provide a standard operational procedure for the fabrication of substrates that allow the Cassie to Wenzel transition. Theoretical equations are compared to experimental results. These substrates will be implemented in future research projects. The substrates consist of micro-size posts etched at two different depths, with a semi-conducting silicon oxide surface layer and coated with a commercial fluoropolymer. They are tested using water droplets. After series of tests, we concluded that experimental results match the expected results and that the wafers can be implemented in different applications.

Comments

Chemistry

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