Prof. Vasco Bonifácio (DBE, iBB) was one of the winners of the 2025 Pedagogical Innovation Projects (PIP). In the CONTACT project, a simple yet innovative approach to contact angle analysis is proposed—a property of critical importance for characterizing a material’s surface, allowing one to assess its ability to retain (hydrophilic) or repel (hydrophobic) water molecules. This behaviour is key when selecting a material or surface treatment for a specific application. Contact angle analysis is covered in several courses at IST across both first- and second-cycle programs.

The project employs the student’s smartphone camera in conjunction with the Drop-R, a specially designed smartphone mount featuring an integrated movable platform. The team will develop this prototype during the project and then produce it via 3D printing. Contact angles are determined by processing the captured images using a protocol that relies on free software. Dr. Rita Pires (CEFEMA) is also a member of the project team and will contribute to the design of the Drop-R.