Grant: Idea to Innovation

This proposal is about a measurement instrument for two of the most important properties in physical chemistry of surfaces, i.e. contact angle, and surface tension. Measurement of such properties are needed in many industries (e.g. chemical, pharmaceutical, petroleum, polymer, paper, and adhesives), and academic sector. We propose to make our instrumentation technology ready for commercialization. Our instrument is comprised of an App that runs on a smartphone, and associated add-on hardware. The specific objectives are streamlining of the software to be market ready, e.g. by having a professional user interface, data storage and display on screen or on the cloud, refinement to the current hardware, and doing rigorous tests to establish the instrument's specs. The future customers have the option of using the smartphone and the App as a standalone system, or buy and use the add-on hardware to enhance system's capabilities (e.g. accuracy of measurements, and enabling novel functions such as sliding angle measurements, or constraint sessile drop configuration). The use of a smartphone eliminates the need for a separate computer, an external camera, lens and bulky chassis and hardware found in the current measurement systems based on Drop Shape Analysis. As such, it has a market advantage due to its substantial cost differential, and compactness that is useful for both field work and laboratory. A smartphone based system provides for integrated connectivity with internet that allows for better document management. Our results has confirmed the concept's functionality. Market research shows that the anticipated worldwide sales for 2017 is over 7000 units, indicating a healthy demand for such an instrument for all manufacturers. The support letters from end-users in academia, educational, and industry sectors are all very enthusiastic about our technology. We have identified a business mentor and partners for sales and distribution. Canada will benefit by establishment of a spin-off company; and having an indigenous instrumentation company that can support other Canadian industries stated above. Also, training of the HQP on a scientific project that has an entrepreneurial aspect is another benefit to Canada.