FITs lab received the 2025 Internal SEED award ($25000) from UMass Dartmouth for the research project: “Understanding Bubble Formation on Complex Solid-Liquid Interface through a Combination of Experimental and Computational Studies”. Dr. Mehdi Raessi is the co-PI.

Check out of our new publication in Biomimetics on the topic of longevity of superhydrophobic surface due to gas diffusion. We found the longevity of superhydrophobic surface can be extended by using a gas-soluble and gas-permeable material such as Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS).

Check out of our new publication in Droplet on the topic of bubble formation on superhydrophobic surface. We discussed the effect of gas flow rate on bubble formation and detached bubble size.

Dillon’s poster on the topic: “Understanding Bubble Formation on Porous Superhydrophobic Surfaces” won the 3^rd place in Overall score in ASME IMECE NSF Student Poster Competition.

Isaac’s poster on the topic: “Understanding the Pinch-Off of a Bubble on Superhydrophobic Surfaces” won the 1^st place in Peer Choice Award in ASME IMECE NSF Student Poster Competition.

Both Dillon and Isaac’s work were supported by NSF-REU site program led by Dr. Vijaya Chalivendra. Congratulations!

 

The FITs lab made 3 presentations at the 2024 APS DFD meeting at Salt Lake city.

The FITs lab hosted a workshop for 2024 STEM4girls event on Oct 5 on UMassD campus. The girls played water droplets on superhydrophobic surface, tested the self-cleaning properties of superhydrophobic surface, and commented: “This is real science“, and “This is the best experiment I have done“. Thank you UMassD for organizing this event. Thank our labmate Foram for preparing the samples and helping the students.

James Bonnell and John Ready, two undergraduate students in FITs Lab, won the 2024 Fall OUR award from Office of Undergraduate Research. Congratulations!

Check out of our new publication in Physics of Fluids on the topic of bubble formation on superhydrophobic surface. We performed a focus balance analysis to understand the dynamics of bubble formation.

 

Shabnam passed her PhD thesis defense and will soon join New Mexico State University as an assistant professor. Daniel passed his MS thesis defense and will soon join NUWC. Farewell!