# US 2014/0150814 A1 · Surface materials for decontamination with decontaminants > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0150814 A1 - Document ID: US20140150814A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/693,562 - Filed: 2012-12-04 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-04 - Assignees: The Boeing Company - Inventors: LEORA PELTZ - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140150814A1 ## CPC - B08B 17/06: by giving articles subject to fouling a special shape or arrangement - B08B 3/08: the liquid having chemical or dissolving effect - B08B 3/10: with additional treatment of the liquid or of the object being cleaned, e.g. by heat, by electricity or by vibration - B08B 7/0057: {by ultraviolet radiation} - B08B 7/04: by a combination of operations - B08B 17/02: Preventing deposition of fouling or of dust - B60S 3/008: {for interiors of land vehicles} - B60S 3/04: for exteriors of land vehicles {(B60S3/002, B60S3/004 take precedence; specially adapted for railway vehicles B60S3/006)} - B64F 5/30: Cleaning aircraft - B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL - B60S: SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B64F: GROUND OR AIRCRAFT-CARRIER-DECK INSTALLATIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AIRCRAFT; DESIGNING, MANUFACTURING, ASSEMBLING, CLEANING, MAINTAINING OR REPAIRING AIRCRAFT, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; HANDLING, TRANSPORTING, TESTING OR INSPECTING AIRCRAFT COMPONENTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising removing at least a portion of the decontaminating agent from the surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the stimulus is electrical, light, chemical, mechanical, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein by the decontaminating agent substantial wets the hydrophilic surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic surface is superhydrophobic. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic surface is superhydrophilic. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic surface facilitates liquid film formation of the one or more decontaminating agents. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising removing at least a portion of the one or more contaminates. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the substrate is at least an interior surface of a vehicle or the exterior surface of equipment. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the substrate is at least an interior surface of an aerospace vehicle. ### Claim 11 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. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least one reversibly surface comprises a semiconductor oxide or chemically modified polymer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the surface is at least a portion of the interior of an aerospace vehicle. ### Claim 14 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. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising discontinuing the external stimulus, wherein at least a portion of the second surface state is reversed back to the first surface state. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the second surface state facilitates wetting of at least a portion of the surface layer by the decontaminating agent. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the wetting of the surface layer facilitates decontamination of the surface. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the surface comprises semiconductor oxides or chemically modified polymer. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein at least a portion of the hydrophobic surface state is a superhydrophobic surface. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein at least a portion of the hydrophilic surface state is a superhydrophilic surface. ### Claim 21 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising removing at least a portion of the contamination from the contaminated surface.