The Boeing Company

Robert Hans Thim

Li Chun Chang

Joshua B Guerry

Peter Aaron Koch

Joshua Benjamin Guerry

Active surface structures comprise an exposed surface, a controlled group of MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical system) actuators, and a controlled region of the exposed surface corresponding to the controlled group. The controlled region has a first state, and a second state that is less textured than the first state. Active surface structures may be part of an apparatus that includes a controller and/or one or more sensors. The controller, sensors, and the controlled region may form a feedback loop in which the active surface structure is actively controlled.

Actively controlled surfaces

Active superhydrophobic surface structures are actively-controlled surface structures exhibiting a superhydrophobic state and an ordinary state. Active superhydrophobic surface structures comprise an outer elastomeric covering defining an exposed surface, a controlled group of MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical system) actuators at least covered by the elastomeric covering, and, a controlled region of the exposed surface corresponding to the controlled group. The controlled region has a superhydrophobic state in which the controlled region is textured. The controlled region also has an ordinary state in which the controlled region is smooth (i.e., less textured than in the superhydrophobic state). Active superhydrophobic surface structures may be part of an apparatus that includes a controller and/or one or more sensors. The controller, sensors, and the controlled region may form a feedback loop in which the active superhydrophobic surface is actively controlled.

Growing community of inventors

Woodinville, WA, United States of America

Robert Hans Thim