BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Talks.cam//talks.cam.ac.uk//
X-WR-CALNAME:Talks.cam
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Biomimetic surface engineering: manufacturing functional surfaces 
 using digital processing technologies - James Macdonald
DTSTART:20181101T131000Z
DTEND:20181101T140000Z
UID:TALK111442@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Miguel Anaya
DESCRIPTION:In the field of surface engineering\, nature reigns supreme. N
 atural examples of functional surfaces combine aspects of physics\, chemis
 try and engineering which are attracting significant research attention to
  understand and artificially reproduce their properties. \n \nThe first ha
 lf of this talk highlights examples of plant and animal surfaces with extr
 eme wettability and presents some of the experimental approaches used to r
 eproduce their properties. I discuss the water collecting mechanisms of th
 e rice leaf and Namib desert beetle. This is contrasted with the self-clea
 ning water repellence of the lotus leaf. The Nepenthes pitcher plant and t
 he placoid scales of shark skin are highlighted as interesting examples of
  surfaces which prevent the adhesion of organisms or bacteria.\n \nFollowi
 ng from this review\, I discuss the development of a laser processing tech
 nique which modifies the surface structure and chemistry of stainless stee
 l to produce a self-cleaning superhydrophobic surface. The experimental wo
 rk carried out so far in my PhD is outlined\, sharing the insight gained i
 nto the hierarchical surface structure and laser-induced chemical reaction
  which enable the superhydrophobic effect. The use of a nanosecond-pulsed 
 fibre laser coupled with post-process heat treatment is shown to provide a
  scalable and cost-effective route to wide area manufacture. Finally\, the
  value of the laser processing technique to produce patternable control of
  wettability is explored with initial results reported for applications in
  microfluidic and water harvesting devices.
LOCATION:The Richard King Room\, Darwin College
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR