Durable engineered silicone surfaces for controlled wetting and liquid transfer

Overview

Iowa State University is developing a durable, tunable surface-engineering platform for polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), a widely used silicone elastomer. The approach combines tailored surface chemistry with micro- and nanoscale surface architecture to control how liquids spread, adhere, pin, and transfer across the silicone surface. Because different applications require different fluid interactions—some need drops to move freely, others need liquids retained, and others need precisely controlled transfer under movement or shear—the platform is designed to be systematically tuned to end-use requirements.

The proposed technology is intended as a long-lasting alternative to conventional plasma treatment, which changes silicone wettability but degrades over time. By using durable functionalization methods, the engineered surfaces are designed to maintain their wetting and transfer performance under repeated use, cleaning, and fluid exposure. This makes the technology relevant for industries ranging from consumer products and medical devices to printing, packaging, microfluidics, and other fluid-handling applications.

Technical specifications

The technology is built on two main capabilities:

• Surface chemistry design sets liquid-surface interactions, controlling whether a liquid spreads or beads.
• Micro- and nanoscale surface architecture influences liquid pinning and movement, enabling reservoirs, or controlled release.

The planned surface matrix will vary both chemistry and texture in a controlled way to map performance across wetting, pinning, smearing, transfer, and friction. The system will then be validated under controlled movement and shear, mimicking real-world use.

Durability testing is a central component of the approach, with protocols for repeated rubbing, cleaning, fluid exposure, moisture, and other relevant environmental stresses such as condensation and storage. This includes studying degradation mechanisms under those conditions so that the top candidates are rated and confirmed by validated for industrial transfer.

Deliverables are envisioned as high-performing PDMS coupon samples with full surface characterization and performance data. That enables industry users to understand how the material will behave in their specific manufacturing process or product design.

Technology readiness level

This is still early-stage research, at approximately TRL 2–3. The team has strong foundational expertise in engineered wetting surfaces, scalable surface fabrication, and durability testing, but the complete engineered PDMS surface platform requires validation through the planned work.

The next stage of research will build a matrix of durable functionalized PDMS surfaces, compare them on wetting, friction, and transport, refine the top candidates to meet target performance, and carry out accelerated durability testing. Once completed, the technology will be ready for industrial partners to begin application-specific pilots and co-development toward production.