Project R-16734

SoS-CORE: Spray-on-Screen – COating Research and Exploration hub - Fundamental investigation of droplet dynamics and layer formation for advanced ultra-thin coatings. (Research)

This infrastructure proposal deals with the sustainable and efficient development of ultrathin coatings of functional materials for various applications such as energy, healthcare, battery, flexible electronics, etc. These coatings require a dedicated setup to circumvent the challenges of wettability and solvents toxicity. Our patented Spray-on-Screen technology has shown the potential to deposit films <10 nm. The project aims to unravel the underlying mechanisms of this coating method and explore new materials-device combinations while dwelling into the surface characterization of these ultrathin (sandwiched) layers using ellipsometry. Combining the coating technology inside a glovebox and equipping that with high-speed cameras and a phase-doppler anemometer, will not only help the unravelling of Spray-on-Screen but also the broader aspect of droplet monitoring during flight and during impact on a substrate, which is of big interest to a broad group of researchers (fundamental but also application driven) and industrial partners.

01 May 2026 - 30 April 2030