Date of Award

2012

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Systems Engineering

First Advisor

Desai,Salil

Abstract

In this research, 'Droplet Based Direct Write' micro/nano manufacturing is investigated using a molecular dynamics modeling and simulation approach. The aim of this investigation is characterization of the direct write inkjet printing process to promote optimization for the enhancement of scalability. The study was completed in four phases; nanodroplet evaporation modeling, substrate-nanodroplet interaction modeling, nanodroplet impingement study and nanodroplet-patterned substrate interaction modeling. For the evaporation study, the two typical solvents water and acetone were used. Under this phase, characterization of nanodroplet evaporation was accomplished including evaluation of droplet size variations at different temperatures and time scales. The results of evaporation modeling were validated using an established Goering's heat and mass transfer model. The second phase investigated water nanodroplet spreading dynamics on silicon dioxide and silicon nitride substrates at four different temperatures. The results of this study were validated using a robust molecular-kinetic theory. The third phase focused on the evaluation of silicon dioxide substrate wetting behavior by water nanodroplets under the influence of three different impingement velocities. The fourth phase of this research assessed the shift in hydrophobic behavior of the silicon dioxide substrate due to surface topology variations. This research provides basic understanding of direct write inkjet printing process at the molecular level and is expected to aid in determining appropriate process controls towards its scalability enhancement.

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