查看完整版本: Toward improved non-stick surfaces at the flip of a switch

Toward improved non-stick surfaces at the flip of a switch

:nst [color=Blue]Researchers in New Jersey report development of a new type of non-stick material whose ability to shed liquids like water from a duck’s back can be turned on or off simply by flipping an electrical switch[/color].
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The material, called “nanonails,” offers a wide-range of potential applications including contamination-resistant and self-cleaning surfaces, reduced-drag ships, and advanced electrical batteries, they say. Their study is scheduled for the Jan. 1 issue of ACS’ [i]Langmuir[/i]. -Aj$E,\Z/PJ
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For years, researchers sought to develop surfaces that repel virtually any liquid. They’ve created [b]non-stick surfaces[/b] that [color=Red]repel water and certain other liquids[/color], but have had little success with repelling common organic liquids such as oils, solvents and detergents.
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Tom N. Krupenkin and colleagues report that their “[color=Red]nanonails[/color]” have all-purpose repellency properties. The nails actually are submicroscopic silicon structures shaped like carpenter’s nails that dramatically enhance a surface’s repellency. However, the surface becomes highly wettable when electricity is applied, allowing liquid to be sucked between the nails.A/a6fUE"N!H%t)S
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In laboratory demonstrations, the researchers showed that their electronic non-stick surface works effectively using virtually any liquid.
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“Nanonails” also show promise for enhancing chemical microreactions, decreasing flow resistance, and facilitating liquid movement for medical diagnostic applications such as lab-on-a-chip technology, they say. x-]!Kp6@*Q
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Source: ACS