home / skills / a5c-ai / babysitter / contact-angle-analyzer

This skill helps determine surface wettability and energy components for nanomaterial surfaces using static and dynamic angle analyses.

npx playbooks add skill a5c-ai/babysitter --skill contact-angle-analyzer

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SKILL.md
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---
name: contact-angle-analyzer
description: Wettability analysis skill for surface energy characterization and hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity assessment
allowed-tools:
  - Read
  - Write
  - Glob
  - Grep
  - Bash
metadata:
  specialization: nanotechnology
  domain: science
  category: surface-analysis
  priority: medium
  phase: 6
  tools-libraries:
    - Contact angle goniometers
    - Surface energy calculators
---

# Contact Angle Analyzer

## Purpose

The Contact Angle Analyzer skill provides comprehensive wettability analysis for nanomaterial surfaces, enabling determination of surface energy components and characterization of hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties.

## Capabilities

- Static contact angle measurement
- Dynamic advancing/receding angles
- Surface energy calculation (Owens-Wendt, van Oss)
- Wilhelmy plate analysis
- Surface roughness correlation
- Superhydrophobic/superhydrophilic assessment

## Usage Guidelines

### Wettability Analysis

1. **Contact Angle Measurement**
   - Use consistent droplet volume (2-5 uL)
   - Allow equilibration before measurement
   - Report average of multiple measurements

2. **Surface Energy Calculation**
   - Use multiple probe liquids
   - Apply Owens-Wendt for dispersive/polar
   - Use van Oss for acid-base analysis

3. **Surface Classification**
   - Hydrophilic: theta < 90 degrees
   - Hydrophobic: theta > 90 degrees
   - Superhydrophobic: theta > 150 degrees

## Process Integration

- Nanomaterial Surface Functionalization Pipeline
- Thin Film Deposition Process Optimization

## Input Schema

```json
{
  "sample_id": "string",
  "probe_liquids": ["water", "diiodomethane", "formamide"],
  "measurement_type": "static|dynamic|wilhelmy",
  "surface_roughness": "number (nm, optional)"
}
```

## Output Schema

```json
{
  "contact_angles": [{
    "liquid": "string",
    "angle": "number (degrees)",
    "std_dev": "number"
  }],
  "surface_energy": {
    "total": "number (mJ/m2)",
    "dispersive": "number (mJ/m2)",
    "polar": "number (mJ/m2)"
  },
  "wettability_class": "string"
}
```

Overview

This skill performs wettability analysis for nanomaterial and thin-film surfaces to determine hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity and estimate surface energy components. It returns static and dynamic contact angles, computes surface energy (Owens–Wendt and van Oss), and classifies wettability for downstream process decisions.

How this skill works

The analyzer ingests sample metadata and probe liquid measurements, then computes contact angle statistics and surface energy components using standard models. It supports static, dynamic (advancing/receding), and Wilhelmy plate inputs, correlates optional surface roughness, and outputs a concise wettability classification and energy breakdown.

When to use it

  • Characterizing newly functionalized nanomaterial surfaces
  • Optimizing thin film deposition for desired wetting
  • Comparing surface treatments or coatings for hydrophobicity
  • Validating surface energy for adhesive or coating selection
  • Integrating wettability checks into automated process pipelines

Best practices

  • Use consistent droplet volume (2–5 µL) and report averages with standard deviation
  • Measure multiple probe liquids (e.g., water, diiodomethane, formamide) for robust energy decomposition
  • Allow droplets to equilibrate before recording static angles
  • For dynamic behavior, record both advancing and receding angles to capture hysteresis
  • Report surface roughness (nm) when available to improve interpretation

Example use cases

  • Estimate dispersive and polar surface energy components after plasma or chemical functionalization
  • Detect transition from hydrophilic to hydrophobic behavior across process conditions
  • Use Wilhelmy plate data to validate dynamic wetting behavior for textiles or coatings
  • Correlate contact angle changes with surface roughness to assess superhydrophobic treatments
  • Feed results into an automated quality-control pipeline for film fabrication

FAQ

What inputs are required?

Provide sample_id, a list of probe_liquids, measurement_type (static, dynamic, or wilhelmy), and optional surface_roughness in nm.

Which surface energy models are supported?

The skill computes Owens–Wendt for dispersive/polar components and van Oss for acid–base analysis. Results include total, dispersive, and polar values.

How is wettability classified?

Classification follows common thresholds: hydrophilic (contact angle <90°), hydrophobic (>90°), and superhydrophobic (>150°).

How should results be reported?

Report contact_angles with mean and standard deviation per liquid, surface_energy components in mJ/m², and Wettability_class for clear downstream decisions.