Engineering better sprays for leaf coating: from drop impact to retention

The proposal seeks to understand the performance of a unique rheological modifier that can enable an order of magnitude increase in coating efficiency for aerosol sprays while not affecting the quality of droplet formation during spraying. The effect occurs via a dispersed network of fibrous particles in water, providing a weak but useful ability to coat surfaces by responsively adjusting its structure. The material is hoped to enable a broad array of applications, from agricultural treatments to nasal sprays, by exhibiting responsive behavior at concentrations much lower than conventional modifiers require. The work will study the responsiveness of the system in single droplet, spray, and coating form as well as an active delivery system.