Liquid Crystal-Infused Slippery Anti-Fouling Surfaces

A method for detecting an analyte, substance, or impurity in a sample liquid comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a sensor having a first surface area comprising:
• i) a lubricating liquid, wherein the lubricating liquid is a liquid crystalline material;
• ii) a solid substrate able to immobilize or host the lubricating liquid, wherein the lubricating liquid wets and coats at least a portion of the substrate, and wherein the portion of the substrate coated by the lubricating fluid forms a slippery surface able to allow droplets of liquids to move across the slippery surface in a manner dependent on the chemical composition of the droplet;
• b) providing said sample liquid to said first surface area;
• c) comparing the mobility of the sample liquid on said first surface area to a control sample or known standard of said sample liquid, wherein a change in the mobility of said sample liquid to said first surface area indicates an analyte, substance, or impurity in said sample liquid.