Back to results
US 2014/0150814 A1Published application
Surface materials for decontamination with decontaminants
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorLEORA PELTZ
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Reversibly switchable (transformable) surface layer changeable from (super)hydrophobic to (super)hydrophilic surface states are described. Methods of decontamination of surfaces exposed to contaminate are provided. The reversibly switchable properties of the surface layer can be controlled by an external stimulus.
Claims21
A method comprising:
- applying an external stimulus to a surface of a substrate,
- adjusting at least a portion of the surface from a first state to a second state, wherein either (i) the first state presents a substantially hydrophobic surface and the second state presents a substantially hydrophilic surface;
- or (ii) the first state presents a substantially hydrophilic surface and second state presents a substantially hydrophobic surface;
- contacting the surface in the second state with a fluid or gas, the fluid or gas having one or more decontaminating agents effective on one or more contaminates associated with the surface of the substrate;
- removing the external stimulus to the surface of the substrate, the surface transforming from the second state back to the first state, whereby at least a portion of the surface of the substrate is decontaminated.
2 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- at least one reversible surface reversible by application of an external stimulus from a first surface state to a second surface state, wherein either (i) the first surface state presents a substantially hydrophobic surface and the second surface state presents a substantially hydrophilic surface;
- or (ii) the first surface state presents a substantially hydrophilic surface and second surface state presents a substantially hydrophobic surface, the first surface state being at least partially restored upon removal of the external stimulus.
A method for decontaminating a surface, the method comprising:
- providing a contaminated surface, the contaminated surface having a first surface state and a second surface state, wherein the first surface state and the second surface state are reversible by application of an external stimulus;
- wherein either (i) the first surface state presents a substantially hydrophobic surface and the second surface state presents a substantially hydrophilic surface;
- or (ii) the first surface state presents a substantially hydrophilic surface and second surface state presents a substantially hydrophobic surface;
- introducing a decontaminating agent to the contaminated surface;
- and
- adjusting at least a portion of the first surface state to the second surface state, wherein the decontaminating agent wets at least a portion of the surface.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.