Water Droplet on PDMS

Download original media

Media Details

Created 8/3/2004 5:00:00 AM

Changing the surface features of poly (dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) changes the angle that the water makes with the surface. The PDMS used in this photo has been patterned with a grid of 100 um[sup]2[/sup] dots, seen here as blue circles, magnified and slightly distorted by the curvature of the droplet. The photo was acquired in the VMIL by the Canon EOS-1Ds on a Manfrotto tripod mount using the 5x macro lens at almost maximum magnification. The PDMS sample was placed upon a blue gel laid on top of a light box, which provided a diffuse illumination for the entire sample. Two macro flash units were positioned approximately 15cm from the PDMS in order to provide sufficient light for a short exposure time. (The bright white specular reflections are a result of the macro flash.)

Credits

• Michael Motala , Department of Inorganic Chemistry
• Dr. Ralph Nuzzo, Director , Materials Research Laboratory