Scientists Create Ultra Hydrophobic Metal Surface, Makes Water Droplets Bounce

Scientists from the University of
Rochester have managed to create a
metal surface that is so hydrophobic
that water literally bounces off. The
surface is not coated with chemicals like
many surfaces that claim to repel water
are. Instead it is meticulously carved by
using lasers to etch the surface at a
microscopic and nanoscopic scale.
 Video click here
It’s amazing to watch and hard to
believe. The water droplets literally
bounce off as if some force field is
repelling them. The researchers say that
this is different from other surfaces that
are coated with chemicals since the
structure itself repels the water and not
any chemical coating. Also, this ensures
that the hydrophobic effect won’t wear
off.

In comparison to other hydrophobic
surfaces like Teflon that requires an
angle of almost 70 degrees for the
water to slide off, the metal surface
doesn’t require much angle at all for
the water to slide off.

This could be applicable on all sorts of
metal surfaces that require water
proofing like phones, cars, tablets,
computers etc and it could also prevent
icing on the surface of helicopters,
airplanes and space shuttles.
  Youtube video here

One more use for it is to use it to
build 100% efficient water collecting
units in underdeveloped countries or
even latrines. The researchers at
Rochester say that since the surface
repels water, it could also repel moist
solids like feces so if the surfaces of
commodes are etched in this way, no
water maybe required to flush the
waste out.