DropMate

DropMate™ is an edTech software suite designed for characterising and analysing liquid–solid interactions through contact angle measurement and surface energy evaluation. Designed for researchers and educational institutions, it provides advanced yet user-friendly tools for studying wettability, adhesion and material compatibility. By combining image analysis, surface energy calculations and predictive modelling, DropMate™ helps users to develop a more profound understanding of surface properties and to optimise materials and processes across a broad spectrum of scientific and industrial applications.

DropMate™ Angle is the core module dedicated to contact angle measurement and wettability analysis. It enables users to capture and analyse droplet images from cameras or stored image files. It calculates contact angles with high accuracy. The software includes image enhancement and processing functions to improve measurement reliability, and provides wettability classification based on the measured angle values. Its comprehensive metadata management and data export capabilities make it suitable for both routine quality control and advanced research applications.

DropMate™ Iso Curve extends the analysis by enabling surface energy mapping and material comparison. Using dispersive and polar surface energy components, the module generates four iso-energy contour maps to help users visualise and compare the surface characteristics of different materials. The key interfacial parameters shown are the work of adhesion, the interfacial energy and the spreading coefficients. This allows users to predict liquid–solid interactions and assess material compatibility. This module is particularly valuable for studies involving coatings, printing, adhesion and material selection.

DropMate™ Components focuses on determining surface energy components using the Owens–Wendt–Rabel–Kaelble (OWRK) method. Based on contact angle measurements obtained with reference liquids, the software calculates the dispersive and polar surface energies.Thanks to its integrated regression and fitting tools, the module enables users to accurately characterise material surfaces, compare substrates and build reliable surface energy databases. This module provides a robust basis for understanding adhesion mechanisms, supporting the development and optimisation of materials.