Spin coaters are often used for uniform thin film deposition. Commercially available spin coaters can cost an excess of $4000, making them not within the means of most undergraduate institutions. The goal of this project is to assemble an inexpensive variable speed spin coater with a revolution per minute (RPM) feedback display. First, a recycled computer’s hard disk drive motor (HDD) was selected to drive the spin coater as HDD motors are readily available and meet the RPM requirements (2,000 to 5,000 RPM). Next, circuitry was designed to control the HDD motor using an Arduino microcontroller. A frame and motor mount for the spin coater were then constructed including a protective shield. The spin coater was then tested by making thin films for dye-sensitized solar cell as an alternative to doctor blading.

Construction and testing of an inexpensive spin coater

255th National Meeting (2018)

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