Brighton Science Events

Chemistry of Adhesion

A surface has chemical and physical properties very different from the bulk of a material. It is these differences that result in the phenomenon of adhesion when two surfaces are brought into contact. This class reviews the origin of surface properties from the viewpoint of chemical composition as well as thermodynamics. The concept of surface energy is introduced as a way to quantify the different chemical and physical properties of a surface. The concept of adhesion is precisely defined in a way that lends itself to quantifiable measurement.

Surface Treatment for Adhesion

This course discusses surface analysis, or how to measure surface properties relevant to adhesion, and how to use these measurements to develop surface treatments that maximize adhesion. This is followed with an in-depth discussion about surface treatment strategies to maximize performance of structures and products that depend on adhesion. An emphasis is placed on processes that are both measurable and controllable in real time.