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US 12,319,385 B2Granted
Process for establishing uniform liquid films on polar and non-polar substrates
AssigneesMontana State University, Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska
InventorsLeon G. Higley, Robert K. D. Peterson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Wettable structures that retain liquid layers are defined at surfaces of substrates. The wettable structures include grooves or ridges that are spaced apart by between 10 nm and 10 μm and can be defined in substrate or in a layer formed on a surface of the substrate. In typical examples, wettable structures are defined with hydrophobic materials or at hydrophobic surfaces and produce hydrophilic surfaces.
Claims21
A substrate, comprising:
- a surface formed by a non-wetting material;
- and
- a wettable structure formed at the surface, wherein the wettable structure comprises a plurality of grooves, wherein the grooves are between 1 μm and 1 nm deep and have separations between 1 nm and 2 μm.
A substrate, comprising:
- a surface formed by a non-wetting material;
- a wettable structure formed at the surface;
- and
- a liquid layer situated at the surface, the liquid layer including a trapped layer situated within the wettable structure and a free layer situated on the trapped layer.
1 more element
A printing device, comprising:
- an ink transfer member;
- and
- a substrate, comprising:
- a surface formed by a non-wetting material;
- and
- a wettable structure formed at the surface, wherein the wettable structure comprises a plurality of grooves, wherein the grooves are between 1 μm and 1 nm deep and have separations between 1 nm and 2 μm, wherein the substrate is situated at a surface of the ink transfer member and is operable to retain ink at the surface.
3 more elements
A method, comprising:
- providing a substrate having:
- a surface formed by a non-wetting material, and
- a wettable structure formed at the surface and defining a bearing surface, wherein the wettable structure comprises a plurality of grooves, wherein the grooves are between 1 μm and 1 nm deep and have separations between 1 nm and 2 μm;
- and
- retaining a lubricant at the bearing surface with the wettable structure.
2 more elements
A cooler, comprising:
- a substrate having:
- a surface formed by a non-wetting material;
- a wettable surface that is operable to retain a liquid, wherein the surface is formed by a non-wetting material, and a wettable structure formed at the surface, wherein the wettable structure comprises a plurality of grooves, wherein the grooves are between 1 μm and 1 nm deep and have separations between 1 nm and 2 μm, and
- a thermal transfer surface;
- a capillary coupled to provide the liquid to the wettable surface;
- and
- a container coupled to provide the liquid to the capillary.
4 more elements
A bearing, comprising:
- a roller member;
- a support surface having a recess configured to receive the roller member;
- and
- a substrate situated at a surface of the recess, wherein the substrate includes:
- a surface formed by a non-wetting material;
- and
- a wettable structure formed at the surface, wherein the wettable structure comprises a plurality of grooves, wherein the grooves are between 1 μm and 1 nm deep and have separations between 1 nm and 2 μm and the roller member is situated against the wettable structure.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.