Self-cleaning surfaces: A third-year undergraduate research project

Abstract

Superhydrophobic (non water-wettable) surfaces can possess the ability to self-clean (the so-called "lotus effect"). The task of devising the apparatus and method for quantifying this self-cleaning effect was offered as a project in a third-year undergraduate laboratory course. Using commonly available equipment the students devised a protocol for measuring the self-cleaning ability of surfaces and related this to the contact angle and hysteresis of the surfaces. As well as gaining experience with measuring surface properties the students developed professional skills as they planned, carried out, and presented their research. The project is open-ended and adaptable to suit available equipme..