By Naveen Kumar
Have you ever wondered why raindrops bead up on some surfaces while spreading out on others? Deep in the world of science and engineering, researchers like myself are delving into the fascinating realm of wetting on soft surfaces. Hi, I’m Naveen Kumar, a Ph.D. student at the Cyprus Institute, and I’m here to share the excitement of my research journey.
Imagine a raindrop falling on a soft, spongy material — the way it interacts with the surface can tell us a lot about the material itself. Soft surfaces, like gels or elastomers, behave quite differently from rigid ones when it comes to wetting phenomena. My research focuses on understanding and predicting these interactions using computational approaches. But why does this matter? Well, it goes beyond raindrops on your windowpane. Soft surfaces are everywhere in our daily lives — from the rubbery soles of our shoes to the gels in medical devices. Understanding how liquids interact with these materials can lead to advancements in various fields.
My journey began with a background in engineering, including a Master’s degree in Computational Engineering from TU Munich and a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from India. Armed with this knowledge, I set out to explore the complexities of wetting on soft surfaces.
Computational approaches serve as my trusty microscope, allowing me to peer into the molecular world of materials. Through sophisticated simulations, I simulate the behavior of liquids on soft surfaces, unraveling the intricate dance between molecules. This not only helps us understand the physics at play but also enables us to design materials with tailored wetting properties.
Think of it as a puzzle where each piece represents a molecule, and my computer becomes the solver, predicting how these pieces fit together. The insights gained from these simulations have the potential to revolutionize industries, from developing self-cleaning surfaces to optimizing medical devices for enhanced performance.
However, the journey is not without its challenges. The computational world is like a vast ocean, and navigating through it requires patience and perseverance. From coding complex algorithms to interpreting intricate results, every step is a learning experience that shapes my understanding of both science and myself.
In conclusion, my Ph.D. experience is a thrilling adventure into the microscopic world of wetting on soft surfaces. Through computational engineering, I aim to unravel the secrets hidden in the droplets on our soft materials and pave the way for innovations that can impact our daily lives. So, the next time you see raindrops dancing on your umbrella, remember, there’s a world of science behind those tiny, fascinating interactions.