News

ZDCT analysis paper published!

By kevin golovin | January 6, 2021

During the lockdown we decided to take a theoretical look at one of the most commonly used methods of (supposedly) measuring ice  adhesion: the Zero Degree Cone Test (ZDCT). Using two cohesive zone models, Kamran and Majid were able to show that most previous measurements were actually incorrect! Perhaps one of the reasons it has… Read more »

New paper!

By kevin golovin | December 29, 2020

Our collaborative work with Dr. Zarifi and the OMEGA lab has produced its first publication related to hazard sensing. Wouldn’t it be nice if PPE could not only protect you from all hazardous liquids and gases, but also tell you which kinds were present in your vicinity? Well check out Oleophobic textiles with embedded liquid… Read more »

Ice detection work published

By kevin golovin | November 26, 2020

Did you know most pilots detect ice growing on an airplane wing visually? There’s gotta be a better way. And there is! Ryan and co-authors’ work on detecting ice underneath anti-icing coatings is now published! Another exciting collaborator with Dr. Zarifi’s group, combining surface science and  surface sensing  for excellent engineering. Check out Modified Microwave… Read more »

Letícia passes her defense!

By kevin golovin | November 20, 2020

Congratulations to Letícia for successfully passing her MASc defense. I think I speak for the entire committee in saying that we were all very impressed by your work. I’m looking forward to another four years of excellence as you start your PhD!

Use the SHWARTS!

By kevin golovin | November 18, 2020

Arif’s work understanding whether models of wettability, derived for idealized surface textures, can be applied to randomly rough surfaces is now published! We call this the Statistical Heuristic Wettability Analysis for Randomly Textured Surfaces (SHWARTS) method, and for certain surfaces it works quite well at predicting wettability without ever touching a liquid! Use the SHWARTS!

Review article published!

By kevin golovin | November 7, 2020

Ever wondered how to move low surface tension liquids across a surface? Quite a bit more complex than simply transporting water. During the COVID-19 lockdown Mohammad and I wrote up a review of this fascinating topic. Check it out! Anisotropy-induced directional self-transportation of low surface tension liquids: a review

Innovation Precinct Photos

By kevin golovin | November 4, 2020

UBCO is getting closer and closer to their new Innovation Precinct, a multidisciplinary building housing several research groups. A couple OPERA members even made it into the curated photos! https://ok.ubc.ca/okanagan-stories/space-to-innovate

CCEC Plenary Talk

By kevin golovin | October 29, 2020

Prof. Golovin was honoured to give a Plenary talk at this year’s CCEC Emerging Leaders in Chemical Engineering session. You can watch his TED-style talk on replacing perfluorocarbons below!

Arif defends his thesis!

By kevin golovin | October 29, 2020

Congratulations to Arif for successfully defending his MASc thesis! Arif’s work merging statistical metrology with superhydrophobicity will hopefully be published soon!

Tensile ice adhesion instrument – how to guide

By kevin golovin | October 12, 2020

Over the COVID-19 pandemic we decided to publish how to build some of our custom ice adhesion measurement systems, starting with our tensile ice adhesion device. If you want to measure ice adhesion in tension, and accurately, precisely, and with high-throughput, check out our latest article co-first-authored by Kiana and Kamran! A high throughput tensile… Read more »