Research

Engineering Sciences

Title :

Soft Electrowetting on Textured Substrates (SETS)

Area of research :

Engineering Sciences

Principal Investigator :

Dr. Dipin Sasidharan Pillai, Indian Institute Of Technology Kanpur (IITK), Uttar Pradesh

Timeline Start Year :

2024

Timeline End Year :

2027

Contact info :

Equipments :

Details

Executive Summary :

Electrowetting is the manipulation of substrate wettability under an external electric field. With the rise of flexible electronic devices, soft lenses, and bio-inspired interfaces, precise control of wettability characteristics over soft deformable substrates has significant technological implications. Soft electrowetting on textured substrate (SETS) is an ideal candidate for advanced control, such as enhanced self-cleaning and thermal management. This research aims to fill the gap in understanding the complex physics behind SETS, including elastocapillarity, substrate topography, contact line depinning, and electrowetting. A three-pronged investigation is proposed, including theoretical, numerical, and experimental investigation, to understand the dominant physics behind SETS. The successful completion of this research is expected to have a significant contribution to the electrowetting community and manufacturing advanced functional materials, potentially contributing to the Make in India policy of the Government of India.

Co-PI:

Dr. Arindam Das, Indian Institute Of Technology (IIT) Goa-403401

Total Budget (INR):

49,18,760

Organizations involved