Quantification of Nucleation Site Density as a Function of Surface Wettability on Smooth Surfaces

Dew water is recognized as a valuable source of clean for human consumption. Given the developing concerns over global scarcity, great focus has been turned toward increasing efficiency existing dew harvesting methodologies. Droplet nucleation critical first stage in condensation process – and therefore key to harvesting. In this paper, droplet site density (Ns) function surface wettability on smooth thin polymer films quantified. A custom-built environment chamber, operated low supersaturation conditions relevant atmospheric harvesting, allows strict experimental control temperature humidity. growth through coalescence quantified, an exponential increase rate seen test increased. Ns declines exponentially decreases according fitted equation = 1.1 × 1011e−0.043θ , where theta contact angle surface, which can be used predict from known angle, currently not available. The average distance between centers found at linear rate. This behavior line with those droplets Rayleigh distribution.