Thursday, January 22, 2015

Laser etching makes metal hydrophobic

Sploid reports: [edited]

Scientists at the University of Rochester have created a metal that is so extremely hydrophobic that the water bounces on it as if it were repelled by a magic force field. Instead of using chemical coatings they used lasers to etch a nanostructure on the metal itself.

From the construction of airplane surfaces — which will avoid water freezing of the fuselage — to non-stick pans to phones to computers to TVs to cars to whatever you can imagine made of metal.

They are also thinking of applying the technique to create 100-percent efficient water recollection systems in underdeveloped countries and the creation of latrines in areas where water is not abundant enough to allow for effective cleaning.

The lead scientist says that 'the structures created by their laser on the metals are part of the material surface' so they will not disappear over time, like current chemical coatings do.
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2 comments:

Big Bad Pete said...

A few years ago this technology would make some great litho plates, but in the digital age, who wants to invest in anything as old hat as litho. it will go the same way as leaving comments on blogs !!

Brett Jordan said...

:-) good to hear from you pete, hope you're thriving

 
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