Many products are made by coating processes (e.g., adhesive tapes, magnetic storage media, flexible electronics), while others are coated to improve their performance (e.g., laptop screens, biomedical devices, windows). Research in the Coating Process Fundamentals Program of IPRIME (Industrial Partnership in Interfacial and Materials Engineering) addresses fundamental scientific and engineering challenges in liquid-applied coatings. Francis group coatings research explores processing and microstructure development of coatings prepared by deposition of a liquid (solution, monomer, dispersion of particles) followed by drying or curing. In collaboration with Profs. Xiang Cheng and Satish Kumar, we study drying, curing, solidification, patterning and stress development, and microstructure development in coatings. Coating systems of current interest are colloidal ceramics, sol-gel derived ceramics, polymers, reactive monomers and ceramic/polymer composites. Experimental probes include cryoscanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, surface probe microscopies, bending of coated elastic beams, microrheology and infrared spectroscopy. Theory-based modeling of drying, microstructure and stress development frequently accompanies the experimental work. We are also exploring liquid-based 3D printing in collaboration with Prof. Chris Ellison.
CryoSEM image of an aqueous coating containing latex and indium tin oxide (ITO). (H. Luo)
Schematic diagram of a magnetic microrheometer used to study viscosity change in coatings during drying and curing. (J-O. Song)