University of Florida Research Foundation Inc

Ravi Kumar Vasudevan

Wolfgang M Sigmund

Shu-Hau Hsu

A superhydrophobic appliance is an elastomeric material with a surface having a multiplicity of re-entrant features. The elastomeric material can be a polydimethylsiloxane network. The superhydrophobic appliance can be formed by infusing a portion of a polydimethylsiloxane polymeric precursor partially into the pores of a porous membrane, curing to the polymeric network, and separating the membrane from the appliance to expose the superhydrophobic surface. The superhydrophobic surface can be subsequently modified to form a fluorinated surface that is oleophobic or superoleophobic in addition to being superhydrophobic.

Durable superhydrophobic surfaces

A superhydrophobic surface can be formed by contacting an article with a suspension of fluorinated boehmite particles to leave a film of the fluorinated boehmite particles after removal of the suspending fluid. The film can be transparent or the film can be translucent or opaque. When the film is translucent or opaque, the film can render the surface superoleophobic.

Superoleophobic alumina coatings

An article having a superhydrophobic or oleophobic ceramic polymer composite surface is formed by the coating of the surface with a fluid comprising a polymer, copolymer, or polymer precursor and a plurality of glass, ceramic, or ceramic-polymer particles. The particles have fluorinated surfaces and at least a portion of the polymer's repeating units that are fluorinated or perfluorinated. The composite can be a cross-linked polymer.

Growing community of inventors

Somerville, MA, United States of America

Ravi Kumar Vasudevan