====== Lab Notes for the DIY Spin Coater Build ======
See [[projects:spincoater:start|Spin Coater]] project page for an overview.

> //This page is a lab notebook. It documents the work done in the lab and our thoughts, theories, and findings related to it. Everything you read here is work in progress and not final results. We believe it is best to have our lab notes out in the open, because it gives more detailed insight into what worked for us and what didn't. Of course you can also use this page to follow our progress!//
==== Day 2026-01-18 (q3k, rob, hugo, rahix) ====
first prototype of spincoater hardware:

{{:projects:spincoater:pxl_20260118_200953672.jpg?400|}}

An unknown quantity of PMMA was added to an unknown quantity of acetone. Solution was refluxed at 50 degrees on a hot plate for ~30 minutes. PMMA was not fully dissolved by time of use.

A micropipette was used to dispense the PMMA/Acetone solution on a test setup without RPM feedback.

Variable space was explored semi-arbitrarily. Spin time was around 10s. Acceleration was controlled by the ESC.

The following data is written down post-factum and shouldn't be relied upon until verified against video footage.

^  Volume (µL) ^  Method   ^  ESC pulse time (µs) ^  Voltage ^ Notes ^ 
|        ~1500 |  Dynamic  |                 1400 |       12 | {{:projects:spincoater:img_20260118_213055_612.jpg?linkonly|Photo}} Very uneven. |
|         ~100 |  Static   |                 1100 |       12 | {{ :projects:spincoater:img_20260118_215040_809.jpg?linkonly|Photo}} Center spot visible (initial solution location). |
|         ~100 |  Static   |                 1100 |       10 | {{ :projects:spincoater:img_20260118_215414_548.jpg?linkonly|Photo}} Without center spot visible. |