Liquid-Dielectrophoresis (L-DEP) refers to the control of liquids using electric fields created in the region very close to a surface. L-DEP can be used to enhance and control the wetting or to create optical devices using liquid film.

This project will explore the potential of this methods of droplet and wetting control for automotive applications. A particular interest will be the application of these techniques on transparent surfaces such as vehicle windscreens or camera lenses, with the overall goal of controlling and even shedding both water and dirt from such surfaces without the need for a mechanical wiper. For instance, using this technique it may be possible to cause water droplets to spread into a very thin film to increase visibility without the need to shed the water. It may also be possible to create defined movement patterns for droplets in order to remove droplet from the surface.

The project will look at the following areas and decide on the best one that is fit for purpose and meets the needs of the sponsoring company, JLR.

1. Surface coating to enhance the spreading effect of the electric field whilst reducing the operating voltages and thus the power consumption.
2. Surface coating to allow the above, whilst also maintaining good transparency for surfaces such as windscreens and camera lenses.
3. Electrode design to control the nature of the droplet spreading i.e. bi-axial for transparent film creation or uni-axial spreading for surface flow induction, depending on the nature of the application.
4. Dual purpose electrode testing. (Can existing heating electrodes be used to produce the L-DEP electric fields and the spreading effect?)
5. Capabilities to clean surfaces using either film creation or induced flow on a surface