SURFACE FABRICATION: 1. 1 cm silicone chip coated with polyamide spun at 400rpm (8s) and 2000rpm/4000rpm/6000rpm (60s). 2.

Chips are soft baked at 250C for 60 minutes. 3. Polyamide layer is scratched off on one edge, exposing silicone for electrode contact. EXPERIMENTAL METHODS: A. Determining the voltage threshold of dielectric layer breakdown 1. Droplet is applied to surface and electrodes attached. An image is captured with 0V applied and the contact angle is determined.
2

Figure 1. An initial contact angle of 74.47 is measured at 0V.

2. Voltage is increased by ~100V intervals, and the change in contact angle of the droplet is observed.

Figure 2. A 58.21 contact angle is observed at 100V.

Figure 3. A 58.18 contact angle is observed at 201V.

3. When dielectric layer begins to break down, bubbles will begin to form within the droplet. The applied voltage at which this occurs is noted and the voltage is not increased any further.

Figure 4. Bubbles are seen forming within the droplet at an applied voltage of 300V.

B. Determining the time threshold of dielectric layer breakdown 1. Droplet is applied to surface and electrodes attached. A larger droplet (20-30 L) is preferred so as to prevent the droplet from evaporating too quickly. An image is captured with 0V applied and the contact angle is determined.

Figure 5. An initial contact angle of 61.24 is measured at 0V.

Figure 6. Using a larger droplet prevents the droplet from evaporating too quickly.

2. The applied voltage is increased to the desired level (a voltage of ~100V lower than the previously determined breakdown point is used as a starting point) and held constant. Images are captured at regular time intervals and examined for signs of dielectric layer breakdown.

Figure 7. 366V applied; no time elapsed.

Figure 8. 366V applied; 2 minutes elapsed.

Figure 9. 366V applied; 5 minutes elapsed.

Figure 10. 366V applied; 8 minutes elapsed. The droplet has almost completely evaporated.

3. If no dielectric breakdown is observed, a larger droplet is used and a higher voltage is applied.

Figure 11. A larger droplet, shown here with 0V applied.

Figure 12. 500V applied; no time elapsed.

Figure 13. 500V applied; 5 minutes elapsed.

Figure 14. 500V applied; 10 minutes elapsed.

Figure 15. An even larger droplet, shown here with 0V applied.

Figure 16. 625V applied; no time elapsed.

Figure 17. 625V applied; 5 minutes elapsed.

Figure 18. 625V applied; 10 minutes elapsed.