DailyDirt: Like Water (Or Oil) Off A Duck's Back…
from the urls-we-dig-up dept
People seem to be amazed when water rolls right off the surface of something because it’s not the usual thing that happens. Everything gets wet, so when something doesn’t, it looks pretty cool. But hydrophobic materials are actually useful, too. Here are just a few projects looking into materials that repel liquids like water.
- The surface of a material with water repellent nano-structures can create a “lotus leaf effect” that exhibits superhydrophobicity, repelling water and making a self-cleaning mechanism. Mimicking these surface textures is possible, and artificially hydrophobic surfaces could have a variety of practical applications (but maintaining nano-structures in real-world conditions can be a challenge). [url]
- A superomniphobic coating that repels not just water, but oils and even non-Newtonian liquids, is being developed in Michigan. While most folks think of stain-free clothing, this kind of coating will probably be better suited for other kinds of protective gear (eg. haz-mat suits) and other one-time use items. [url]
- Superhydrophobic surfaces are interesting for a bunch of reasons — you can imagine self-cleaning solar panels or airplane wings that won’t need de-icing. One more interesting application: improving the energy efficiency of steam turbine generators. [url]
If you’d like to read more awesome and interesting stuff, check out this unrelated (but not entirely random!) Techdirt post via StumbleUpon.
Filed Under: hydrophobic, lotus leaf effect, materials, nanotech, superhydrophobic, superomniphobic, waterproof
Comments on “DailyDirt: Like Water (Or Oil) Off A Duck's Back…”
Home Depot sells a hydrophobic spray paint
There is no way I’m gonna be the first sucker to try and make an “Is Aereo’s hardware waterproof?” joke here…
The OLD ass Art Bell "Show me" model
Look I don’t give a shit how much money it cost you to make this invention.
But I have one question, when can I Pick up a SPRAY can with a warranty and spray say um… something reasonable… um, my piece of crap 150 watt mono panel with it’s electronics.
I cut that piece of shit MDF or whatever the fuck cannon plug that solar “bend over for the cost” industry thinks it can get me to buy, wtf 10 of one side of the plug for $40? fuck you, I use inline splice with screwdrivers now bitch!
So my parents or one of them was from Show Me State or nearby.
Show me, spray up some electronics say outdoor solar panel electronics.
PS for the low brows, fsck the panels, they ARE waterproof! ja Idjiotz. How about that 3 KW inverter? Make that waterproof?
Re: The OLD ass Art Bell "Show me" model
I guess my challenge is this..
Fuck the non thinkers.
Um, Spray Can, Say $15
it can, protect 3 KW inverter with garden hose in the FANS?
Maybe I think your full of BS.
but
you can
SHOW ME.
Re: The OLD ass Art Bell "Show me" model
dude… take your meds. seriously.