Vapor Polishing
Vapor Polishing - Related Videos
01:18
Vaporization
0 Views •
2019
The physical form of a substance changes by changing its temperature. For example, raising the temperature of a liquid causes the liquid to vaporize (convert into vapor). The process is called vaporization—a surface phenomenon. For vaporization to occur, kinetic energy must be greater than the intermolecular forces that keep molecules bonded. The amount of energy needed to vaporize a quantity of liquid at a given pressure and a constant temperature is called the heat of vaporization. When...
02:34
Vapor Pressure
0 Views •
2020
When a liquid vaporizes in a closed container, gas molecules cannot escape. As these gas phase molecules move randomly about, they will occasionally collide with the surface of the condensed phase, and in some cases, these collisions will result in the molecules re-entering the condensed phase. The change from the gas phase to the liquid is called condensation. When the rate of condensation becomes equal to the rate of vaporization, neither the amount of the liquid nor the amount of the vapor...
05:12
Pressure-polishing Pipettes for Improved Patch-clamp Recording
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Cited by 13 •
2008
This is a guide to modifying the shape of glass micropipettes. Specifically, by using heat and air pressure the taper is widened without increasing the tip opening, leading to lower pipette resistance. This is critical to obtain low noise recordings of small cells but is useful in many applications.
11:32
Vapor-liquid Equilibrium
0 Views •
2023
Source: Michael G. Benton and Kerry M. Dooley, Department of Chemical Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA Vapor-liquid equilibrium is paramount in engineering applications such as distillation, environmental modeling, and general process design. Understanding the interactions of components in a mixture is very important in designing, operating and analyzing such separators. The activity coefficient is an excellent tool for relating molecular interactions to mixture...
03:28
Vapor Pressure Lowering
0 Views •
2020
The equilibrium vapor pressure of a liquid is the pressure exerted by its gaseous phase when vaporization and condensation are occurring at equal rates: Dissolving a nonvolatile substance in volatile liquid results in a lowering of the liquid’s vapor pressure. This phenomenon can be explained by considering the effect of added solute molecules on the liquid's vaporization and condensation processes. To vaporize, solvent molecules must be present at the surface of the solution. The presence of...
FAQs
The condensed solvent partially dissolves the outermost polymer layer, reducing the sharpness of rough features, pores, and printed layer lines. As the solvent evaporates, the softened material reflows and the surface solidifies again. Because the process acts primarily at the exterior, it can improve finish quality without removing material through cutting or abrasion.
Condensation places a temporary solvent layer directly on the thermoplastic surface, where it can soften the outermost polymer. This localized interaction enables surface features to reflow before evaporation restores a solid surface. The sequence matters because the desired finish depends on controlled softening followed by solidification, rather than on permanent removal of surface material.
Solvent exposure and overall processing conditions must be controlled carefully. Insufficient treatment may leave pores, rough features, or layer lines incompletely refined, while excessive surface interaction can threaten dimensional accuracy and fine functional details. Balancing these conditions is especially important for parts whose fit, sealing behavior, or small features affect their intended bioengineering use.
Machining improves a surface by physically cutting or removing material, whereas this technique smooths the existing outer polymer layer through solvent-induced reflow. That distinction can be useful for additively manufactured parts with visible layer lines or pores, because the finish is refined without machining away material. The approach still requires dimensional control to protect functional geometry.
A typical sequence begins by exposing the part briefly to the selected solvent vapor, allowing vapor to condense and partially soften the outer polymer layer. Surface features then reflow during the exposure, after which the solvent evaporates and the surface solidifies. Processing conditions should be adjusted to improve finish while preserving dimensions and functional details.
Bioengineers may use it to refine additively manufactured components, microfluidic devices, and custom laboratory fixtures. Smoothing can produce cleaner surfaces and may improve sealing, optical appearance, and handling. These benefits are relevant when printed layer lines or pores interfere with how a part looks, feels, fits, or performs within a laboratory or bioengineering setup.
Evaluation should focus on surface quality as well as preservation of the part's intended geometry. Researchers can examine whether pores and layer lines have been refined and whether the component shows improved sealing, optical appearance, or handling. For microfluidic devices and other detailed parts, confirming that functional features remain intact is equally important after processing.