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Topic: Best conditions to make drops adhere to a vertical surface  (Read 6370 times)

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Offline vloffredoart

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Best conditions to make drops adhere to a vertical surface
« on: September 05, 2017, 09:42:24 PM »
I am trying to have circular color droplets adhere to a vertical glass or another see-through material, just like when it rains on a window, but I would like to be in the condition to 'manage' the drops to make them circular and colorful. Bigger would a plus. Drops have to be as transparent as possible, as I am interested in the reflection inside the drops (it’s for an art project). I tried with plain water and with water mixed with food coloring and the mix acted a bit funny. I tried to apply water with a dropper but the drops didn’t stay still and fell down. Should I try with a spray? With another liquid or a surface where water adhesion is higher? Happy to buy a suitable glass/surface, if that helps.

Do you have any practical suggestions (I know very little of chemistry and I might not understand the theory!).

Thank you!

Offline billnotgatez

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Re: Best conditions to make drops adhere to a vertical surface
« Reply #1 on: September 05, 2017, 09:48:09 PM »
Have you tried to apply the drops to a horizontal piece of glass.
Let them dry.
And then turn the glass vertical?

I was thinking of the stuff they use to make glass slide for biology specimens.


Offline vloffredoart

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Re: Best conditions to make drops adhere to a vertical surface
« Reply #2 on: September 05, 2017, 10:03:09 PM »
Have you tried to apply the drops to a horizontal piece of glass.
Let them dry.
And then turn the glass vertical?

I was thinking of the stuff they use to make glass slide for biology specimens.

I tried but when the drops dry I am only left with little blue 'stains' from the food coloring. What I need is to see the drop and the (upside down, fish eye) reflection inside the drops. If I let them dry, I loose the drops volume and the reflection. Thank you so much for the suggestion though. If you have other ideas, please let me know!

Offline billnotgatez

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Re: Best conditions to make drops adhere to a vertical surface
« Reply #3 on: September 05, 2017, 10:11:31 PM »
I was thinking this might be of interest
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microscope_slide#Non-Aqueous

When slides are made the specimen can be held in place by a clear (or near clear) substance or system.
Maybe you can use this technique.
Maybe you can also use a small circular  cover slip
as mentioned in the WIKI.

Offline vloffredoart

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Re: Best conditions to make drops adhere to a vertical surface
« Reply #4 on: September 05, 2017, 10:26:24 PM »
Oh, I see what you meant. Do you know if the circular cover slips exist in spherical shape rather than flat? In order to keep the shape/volume of the drop. Thanks!

Offline billnotgatez

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Re: Best conditions to make drops adhere to a vertical surface
« Reply #5 on: September 05, 2017, 10:37:33 PM »
You might try and do a GOOGLE on

Quote
round coverslips

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