Thanks to some extremely high-power laser beams, University of Rochester researchers have developed a super-hydrophobic metal that are comprised of micro and nanostructures to keep their surfaces clean and dry. Practical uses include: preventing icing / rust and collecting heat more effectively as well as water-repelling electronics. Utilizing powerful 65-femtosecond laser pulses at a rate of up to 1000 per second, they were able to change the surface structure of platinum, titanium and brass samples. Continue reading for two videos, more pictures and additional information.
“The result is a remarkable material that not only repels water very effectively (tilt the surface by five degrees and the water slides or bounces right off), but is also velvet black from every angle (which makes it highly light-absorbing) and even self-cleaning,” reports Gizmag
