UF Researcher Awarded NSF Grant to Measure the Surface Energy of Metals

Kirk J. Ziegler, Ph.D., the Dow Chemical Company Foundation Professor and associate chair for graduate studies at the University of Florida Department of Chemical Engineering (UF CHE) is leading a $581,500 grant from the National Science Foundation titled: Measuring the Surface Energy of Metals through Structure-Property Analysis of Electrodeposition Instabilities.

“Surface energy is one of the most fundamental and important thermophysical properties of metal surfaces because it has a strong influence on the mechanical, electrical, catalytic, and morphological characteristics of the solid,” Dr. Ziegler said. “Despite its importance, the ability to directly measure the surface energy of metals has eluded researchers for several decades. This physical property is important to understand the interaction of molecules with these surfaces. Because the method can be applied to numerous metal surfaces, this work will have a positive impact on preventing the corrosion of metal piping, improving the performance of catalysts, controlling the size and shape of crystals, and developing new additive-manufacturing processes.”

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