2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report
New antifrosting strategies based on spatial control of nucleation combined with nanostructured anticondensation surfaces.
| Project/Area Number |
22K14599
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
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| Allocation Type | Multi-year Fund |
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| Review Section |
Basic Section 29020:Thin film/surface and interfacial physical properties-related
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| Research Institution | The University of Tokyo |
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Principal Investigator |
Mouterde Timothee 東京大学, 大学院工学系研究科(工学部), 講師 (40912530)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2022-04-01 – 2024-03-31
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| Keywords | antifogging / anticondensation / nanostructures / superhydrophobic |
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| Outline of Final Research Achievements |
On a cold substrate placed in a humid atmosphere, condensation droplets form on the surface limiting the visibility. If the surface is covered with hydrophobic nanostructures condensation droplets are ejected from the surface upon merging. This allows to reduce the surface covered by condensation. However, the random nucleation position of the droplets limits the performance of the surface: droplets nucleating far from each other are large when they jump, and small if they appear very close.
In this research we developped a biphilic patterning method which allow to control the position of the droplets of condensation. We understood the optimal spacing between hydrophilic areas that allow for a perfect nucleation control. We combined this nucleation control with the jumping droplet property, this allows to make the best antifogging surface in terms of droplets volume, and surface coverage. These properties can be controlled by the design of the surface biphilic pattern.
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| Free Research Field |
Fluid mechanics
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| Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements |
Control of condensation is important for industrial process and in daily lives as it can limit vision through transparent surfaces or limit the longevity of materials due to water accumulation. Here we combined biphilic surface chemistry with nanostructures to obtain the best antifogging surface.
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