How superhydrophobic material stays completely dry

How superhydrophobic material stays completely dry,  Have you ever wondered how raincoats, windshields, and other waterproof materials manage to keep from getting wet? Today’s Video of the Day comes from the American Chemical Association’s Reactions series and features a look at the science of how superhydrophobic material stays completely dry.

On a superhydrophobic surface, the low adhesion of water lets the droplet roll across the surface without any difficulty. Meanwhile, any contaminating particles, such as dust or debris on the surface, can be easily swept away by water’s absorption or adsorption. Scientists have used this effect to create some surfaces that can stay “clean”.

In summary, the lotus leaf is by far the best natural super-hydrophobic surface, which has inspired many inventions of superhydrophobic, self-cleaning materials. However the surface like rose petals, with high adhesion at high contact angles, can still be used as an imitative object for practical applications. How superhydrophobic material stays completely dry as show above in video showing the affects of after continuous rubbing with a skin simulating friction partner under significant load.

For the first time, an in-depth characterization of the wetting properties, beyond simple contact angle measurements, as well as a thorough evaluation of the most important textile parameters is performed on a superhydrophobic fabric, which reveals a true potential for application.

 —

By Rory Arnold, Earth.com

Video Credit: American Chemical Association