Liquid-encapsulated rare-earth based ceramic surfaces
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsGisele Azimi, Adam T. Paxson, J. David Smith, Kripa K. Varanasi
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Abstract
Described herein are non-wetting surfaces comprising rare-earth containing ceramics. Furthermore, the surfaces include liquid impregnated within a matrix of micro- or nano-engineered features on the surface. The surfaces are non-wetting and can resist liquid impalement, ice formation, scale formation, hydrate formation, and/or have antifouling properties.
Claims21
An article comprising a liquid-impregnated surface, said surface comprising a matrix of solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain an impregnating liquid therebetween and/or therewithin, wherein the surface comprises a rare earth element material, and wherein the article includes the impregnating liquid between and/or within the matrix of solid features, the surface coming into contact with a first substance different from the impregnating liquid, wherein 0<φ<0.5, where φ is the surface area fraction of said surface corresponding to non-submerged solid at equilibrium, and wherein said surface is a textured surface and said solid features are engineered protrusions of said textured surface.
An article comprising a liquid-impregnated surface, said surface comprising:
- a base substrate comprising a matrix of solid features coated with a hydrophobic coating, the hydrophobic coating comprising a rare earth element material, wherein the hydrophobic coating is transparent or translucent, wherein the coated matrix of solid features is spaced sufficiently close to stably contain an impregnating liquid therebetween and/or therewithin, and wherein the article includes the impregnating liquid between and/or within the coated matrix of solid features, the surface coming into contact with a first substance different from the impregnating liquid,
- wherein a contact angle of the impregnating liquid with the first substance on the surface comprising the matrix of solid features is equal to zero, and
- wherein a contact angle of the impregnating liquid with the first substance on a smooth surface is greater than zero.
An article comprising a liquid-impregnated surface, said surface comprising a plurality of micro-scale and/or nano-scale solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain an impregnating liquid therebetween, said surface stably containing said impregnating liquid between said solid features, wherein said impregnating liquid fills a volume between said solid features, wherein the surface comprises a rare earth element material, the surface coming into contact with a first substance different from the impregnating liquid,
- wherein a contact angle of the impregnating liquid with the first substance on the surface comprising the matrix of solid features is equal to zero, and
- wherein a contact angle of the impregnating liquid with the first substance on a smooth surface is equal to zero.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.