Scientifically speaking, a super-hydrophobic coating is a nanoscopic surface layer that repels water. The silica-based coatings are perhaps the simplest to use. They are gel-based and can be easily applied either by dipping the object into the gel or via aerosol spray. Continue reading for five crazy videos showing why superhydrophobic nano-coated surfaces are the future.

5. Magnetic Liquid

The oxide polystyrene composites are more durable than the gel-based coatings, however the process of applying the coating is much more involved and costly. Carbon nano-tubes are also expensive and difficult to produce at this point in time. Thus, the silica-based gels remain the most economically viable option at present.

4. Technical

In industry, super-hydrophobic coatings are used in ultra-dry, surface applications. The coating causes an almost imperceptibly thin layer of air to form on top of a surface. Super-hydrophobic coatings are also found in nature: they appear on plant leaves, such as the Lotus leaf, and some insect wings causing them to repel water.[3] The coating can be sprayed onto objects to make them waterproof. The spray is anti-corrosive and anti-icing, has cleaning capabilities and can be used to protect circuits and grids.

3. Self-Assembly

Super-hydrophobic coatings have important applications in maritime industry. They can yield “skin-friction drag reduction” for ships’ hulls, thus increasing fuel efficiency. Such a coating should allow ships to increase their speed and range while reducing fuel costs. They can also reduce corrosion and prevent marine organisms from growing on a ship’s hull.

2. Finger in Water

Super Hydrophobic coatings rely on a delicate micro or nano structure for their repellence – this structure is easily damaged by abrasion or cleaning and therefore are most used on things like electronic components which are not prone to wear. Objects subject to constant friction like boats hulls would require constant re-application of such a coating to maintain a high degree of performance.

1. Chemical Manufacturing

Due to the extreme repellence and in some cases bacterial resistance of hydrophobic coatings, there is always much enthusiasm for their wide potential uses such as surgical tools, medical equipment, textiles and all sorts of surfaces and substrates, but unfortunately this technology has a fatal flaw which makes it unusable in most circumstances.

Author

A technology, gadget and video game enthusiast that loves covering the latest industry news. Favorite trade show? Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.