The measurement of weak adhesive energies has previously been difficult to obtain. To measure these energies, I designed a technique that uses the combined sensitivities of both a quartz crystal resonator and the inflation of an elastomeric polymer membrane. The surfaces of the quartz crystal and/or the membrane are modified...
Polymers with electrolyte groups or “polyelectrolytes” have been the subject of intense study for the past few decades due to characteristics such as anti-fouling and underwater adhesion. Because of their charged nature, however, polyanions and polycations will complex in aqueous solutions forming dense unprocessable precipitates. In an attempt to leverage...