Elasto-capillary phenomena in nanoscale wetting of 2D materials

Research Project, 2024 – 2027

Wetting a mechanically compliant surface can cause deformation due to the combination of capillary forces and elasticity, known as elasto-capillarity. While elasto-capillarity has been extensively studied in soft matter physics, it has not yet been systematically applied to the field of 2D materials, which are extremely easy to deform. In comparison to other materials, 2D materials can experience significant deformations even with nano-meter sized droplets, making them ideal for studying elasto-capillary phenomena on the nanoscale.Nanoscale wetting is a highly active research field, particularly in nanotechnology where it has connections to biosensors, capillary origami and functional surfaces. In this project, we aim to use large scale atomistic simulations to investigate the details of elasto-capillary phenomena in 2D materials, taking into account the influence of thermal fluctuations and distribution of functional groups. We will also develop continuum theories that can accurately account for the dynamics on the nano-scale, which can lead to emergent elasto-capillary phenomena on the macroscale. The insights gained from this research will have implications for biosensors and nanofabrication.