Process for establishing uniform liquid films on polar and non-polar substrates
AssigneeMontana State University
InventorsLeon G. Higley, Robert K. D. Peterson
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims23
A substrate, comprising:
- a surface formed by a non-wetting material;
- and
- a wettable structure formed at the surface.
A brush, comprising a plurality of elongated strands of a hydrophobic material, each strand having an exterior surface defining a structured wettable surface.
A printing device, comprising:
- an ink transfer member;
- and
- a structured wettable structure at a surface of the ink transfer member, wherein the structure wettable structure comprises a plurality of groove or ridges having separations between 10 nm and 2 μm and is operable to retain ink at the surface.
A method, comprising:
- providing a bearing surface with a wettable structure;
- and
- retaining a lubricant at the bearing surface with the wettable structure.
A cooler, comprising:
- a substrate having a structured wettable surface that is operable to retain a liquid and a thermal transfer surface;
- a capillary coupled to provide the liquid to the structured wettable surface;
- and
- a container coupled to provide the liquid to the capillary.
A bearing, comprising:
- a roller member;
- a support surface having a recess configured to receive the roller member;
- and
- an insert situated at a surface of the recess, wherein the insert had a structured wettable surface and the roller member is situated against the structured wettable surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.