In this experiment, the vertical deflection distance (amplitude) was measured as a function of time using a Fotonic sensor. A flexible fiber-optic probe is used by the Fotonic Sensor to emit a beam of light, which is then reflected back from the target surface. The sensor measures the distance between the probe tip and the target by calculating the time it takes for the light to travel from the sensor to the target and back. The resulting electrical signal is proportional to the distance between the probe tip and the target being measured. The experiment was done as follows; An optically reflective circular aluminum foil (target surface) was affixed to the top of the domed disk, which was initially in perfect contact with the H-PDMS coating. The target surface on a glass slide was then placed in a petri dish, and a photonic probe was positioned 2 mm above it. The H-PDMS coating was submerged in water (or salt water), causing it to swell and the instability developed and grew with time, As a result of this instability, the aluminum foil was displaced vertically outward, and this displacement was detected by the Foton sensor. The data acquisition continued until the domed disk completely dislodged from the coating. The time for dislodge of the disk was monitored by creating gentle agitation in the bulk of the liquid using a sterile pipette to force air to create a flow of liquid in the petri-dish. When the domed-disk was no more in contact with the coating, it started to float away with the gentle flow created above. At this stage, the data acquisition of the Foton probe was truncated and the coating was analyzed using microscopy to cross-verify the thickness of the instability measured using this technique and image analysis using Gwyddion (described below).