The formation mechanism of a spray-coated film is different from that of a spin-coated film. This study employs grazing incidence small- and wide-angle X-ray Scattering (GISAXS and GIWAXS, respectively) quantitatively and systematically to investigate the hierarchical structure and phase-separated behavior of a spray-deposited blend film. The formation of PCBM clusters involves mutual interacti...

We have developed a methodology that can be used to determine disjoining pressures (Π) in both stable and unstable wetting films from the spatial and temporal profiles of dynamic wetting films. The results show that wetting films drain initially by the capillary pressure created by the changes in curvature at the air/water interface and subsequently by the disjoining pressure created by surface...

In this study the effect of crystallite size reduction and microstructure on the electrochemical corrosion behavior of nanocrystalline nickel (NC Ni) were investigated using Tafel polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements in 10 wt.% NaOH. NC Ni coatings were produced by direct current electrodeposition using chloride baths in presence and absence of saccharin as...

OBJECTIVES An adult pig model of retrosternal adhesion formation via an inferior hemisternotomy was used to evaluate the formation and development of pericardial and retrosternal adhesions, as well as adhesion reduction using two thicknesses of a bioabsorbable polylactide film. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-five adult female pigs (70 kg) were allocated to either a control group or four differe...

Here we present a new bifunctional layer-by-layer (LbL) construct made by combining a permanent microbicidal polyelectrolyte multilayered (PEM) base film with a hydrolytically degradable PEM top film that offers controlled and localized delivery of therapeutics. Two degradable film architectures are presented: (1) bolus release of an antibiotic (gentamicin) to eradicate initial infection at the...

Nanocrystalline cadmium sulfide thin films as antireflection materials for solar cells have been prepared by a new chemical solution deposition route in an aqueous medium at 50 °C. as-deposited thin films were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and optical absorption spectra. X-ray diffraction data indicated the formation of hexagonal na...

The selenization of Cu-Zn-Sn-S nanocrystals is a promising route for the fabrication of low-cost thin film solar cells. However, the reaction pathway of this process is not completely understood. Here, the evolution of phase formation, grain size, and elemental distributions is investigated during the selenization of Cu-Zn-Sn-S nanoparticle precursor thin films by synchrotron-based in situ ener...

This thesis deals with an interesting application of mathematics, tear film dynamics. Our goal is to understand and simulate the various observed tear film behaviors, such as film cooling, black line formation and lipid patterns etc. During this process, we build models to describe the fluid dynamics for several blink cycles, experiment on the choices of parameters, compare the simulation with ...

We observed the formation of regular nanoscale undulations on a polystyrene film when imprinted by a soft poly(dimethylsiloxane) mold above the polymer's glass transition temperature. The shape of the wave was reminiscent of a buckling wave frequently observed for a metal film supported on an elastomeric substrate. We derived a simple theoretical model based on an anisotropic buckling of the po...

This paper outlines our recent study on effects of cast film extrusion and biaxial orientation on the morphological development and dielectric performance of biaxially oriented polypropylene (PP) films based on two capacitor-grade isotactic PP (iPP) raw materials. Results on polymorphic composition, melting behavior, microstructure and dielectric properties are reported. Morphological developme...