Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
group
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Sahil Ghate (Junior) Shannon O'Connor (Senior) John Veracka (Junior)
Lead Presenter's Name
Shannon O'Connor
Faculty Mentor Name
Foram Madiyar
Abstract
The focus of the research is testing of an electrospray platform which will be employed to deposit uniform coatings of carbon nanomaterials to large surfaces. Electrospray, also known as electrohydrodynamic spray or e-spray, is a liquid atomization technique that can generate fine droplets to produce coatings with a high degree of uniformity. The carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene dispersions in water are particularly attractive due to their bulk processing, ease of storage, freedom for tuning the concentration, and for their potential aerospace applications. This electrospray platform will be used to apply CNT films, with varying quantities of graphene that will carry a charge across non-conductive surfaces to act as a de-icing element for aircraft and spacecraft structures. The characterization methods include several measurements of surface roughness and toughness, scanning electron microscope images, surface resistance, and transmittance of the films. So far preliminary testing of voltage for Taylor cone formation of spray has been found at 6,000V potential difference between our spray tip and substrate with a flow rate of 0.1 ml/min. It was observed that the Taylor cone was formed larger drops at lower voltages. The future studies include testing with a stable voltage source.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
Yes, Ignite Grant
Investigations into the Applications of Electrospray
The focus of the research is testing of an electrospray platform which will be employed to deposit uniform coatings of carbon nanomaterials to large surfaces. Electrospray, also known as electrohydrodynamic spray or e-spray, is a liquid atomization technique that can generate fine droplets to produce coatings with a high degree of uniformity. The carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene dispersions in water are particularly attractive due to their bulk processing, ease of storage, freedom for tuning the concentration, and for their potential aerospace applications. This electrospray platform will be used to apply CNT films, with varying quantities of graphene that will carry a charge across non-conductive surfaces to act as a de-icing element for aircraft and spacecraft structures. The characterization methods include several measurements of surface roughness and toughness, scanning electron microscope images, surface resistance, and transmittance of the films. So far preliminary testing of voltage for Taylor cone formation of spray has been found at 6,000V potential difference between our spray tip and substrate with a flow rate of 0.1 ml/min. It was observed that the Taylor cone was formed larger drops at lower voltages. The future studies include testing with a stable voltage source.