Adhesion Measurement for PSAs: NPTEL Course by Prof. Animangsu Ghatak, IIT Kanpur
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 3 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgy and Material science & Mining Engineering, Minor 3 in Chemical, Minor in Materials Science |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 24 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Mastering Adhesion: A Deep Dive into Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Measurement
Pressure Sensitive Adhesives (PSAs) are the unseen heroes of modern manufacturing and daily life. From the label on your water bottle and the tape on a package to the intricate assembly of electronic devices and the grippy feet of a gecko, PSAs enable function through controlled, reversible adhesion. Understanding and precisely measuring this adhesion is not just an academic pursuit—it's critical for innovation and quality control across industries. This detailed exploration is based on the comprehensive NPTEL course, "Methods of Adhesion Measurement for Pressure Sensitive Adhesives: Theory and Practice," led by Prof. Animangsu Ghatak of IIT Kanpur.
Course Overview: Bridging Fundamental Science and Industrial Application
This 12-week postgraduate course is designed to provide a rigorous foundation in the mechanics and measurement of adhesion, with a specialized focus on PSAs. It moves seamlessly from fundamental theories of elasticity and surface science to advanced, practical measurement techniques used in research and industry today.
Instructor Profile: Prof. Animangsu Ghatak brings exceptional expertise to this subject. After completing his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Lehigh University, USA, he conducted post-doctoral research at Cambridge University, UK, and Harvard University, USA. Since 2004, he has been teaching and researching at IIT Kanpur, specializing in the mechanics of soft materials, adhesion, friction, fracture, and bio-inspired material design.
Who Should Take This Course?
The course is meticulously crafted for a specific audience seeking to deepen their technical knowledge:
- Postgraduate Students in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgy & Materials Science, Mining Engineering, and Physics.
- Engineers & Researchers directly involved in the R&D, manufacturing, and quality testing of adhesive tapes, labels, and PSA-based products.
- Industry Professionals looking to understand the scientific principles behind adhesive performance to solve practical problems and drive innovation.
Prerequisite: A solid understanding of undergraduate-level Solid Mechanics is recommended for optimal comprehension.
Detailed 12-Week Course Curriculum
The course is structured to build knowledge progressively, from core principles to complex measurement scenarios.
| Week | Core Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1-2 | Fundamentals of Elasticity & Contact: Stress equilibrium, deformation of an elastic half-space, Hertzian contact mechanics for non-adhesive solids. |
| Week 3 | Introduction to Surface Science: Key concepts of surface energy, surface tension, and the fundamental origins of adhesion forces. |
| Week 4-6 | Adhesion Contact Mechanics: In-depth study of the JKR model for adhesive contact between spheres and cylinders. Extension to rough surfaces using Persson’s model, linking surface topography to adhesive performance. |
| Week 7-8 | Confined Elastic Films: Analyzing the deformation and adhesion behavior when a rigid punch contacts a thin, confined elastic adhesive layer—a common PSA geometry. |
| Week 9 | Plate Bending & Lift-Off Experiments: Using the bending of a flexible plate to measure the work of adhesion, a key practical technique. |
| Week 10 | Patterned & Structured Adhesives: Exploring how surface patterning (inspired by gecko feet) can enhance and control adhesion properties. |
| Week 11 | The Peel Experiment: A cornerstone industrial test. Theory and analysis of peeling a flexible tape from a rigid substrate. |
| Week 12 | Rate-Dependent Behavior & Summary: Examining how adhesion strength changes with the speed of separation (viscoelastic effects) and a comprehensive course recap. |
Why This Knowledge is Critical for Industry
Manufacturers of adhesive tapes, labels, medical patches, and any product utilizing PSAs will find immense value in this course. It provides the scientific backbone to:
- Interpret and standardize adhesion test results (peel, tack, shear).
- Design new adhesive formulations with targeted performance.
- Troubleshoot bonding failures and delamination issues.
- Innovate with bio-inspired, structured adhesives for specialized applications.
- Move from empirical trial-and-error to a principles-based design approach.
Essential Reading and References
The course draws upon seminal texts and research papers, including:
- Johnson, K. L. - "Contact Mechanics" (the foundational textbook).
- The classic 1971 paper by Johnson, Kendall, and Roberts (JKR) that revolutionized adhesive contact theory.
- Key research articles on adhesion of cylindrical lenses, compression of rubber blocks, and adhesion of rigid punches to thin films by leading researchers in the field, including the instructor's own published work.
This course, "Methods of Adhesion Measurement for Pressure Sensitive Adhesives: Theory and Practice," offers a unique opportunity to gain a masterful understanding of a complex and vital field. It equips students and professionals with the theoretical tools and practical insights needed to measure, understand, and innovate with the adhesives that hold our world together.
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