Waterproofing techniques are used in several types of objects like clothes, electronic devices, mobiles, etc. It makes objects water resistant and water proof. Similarly, scientists from the Australian National University (ANU) have developed a new spray-on material with a remarkable ability to repulse water. This new material has more robust coating than previous materials.
The surface consist of nanoparticle’s layer, which water slides off as it is on a hot barbecue. The surface ultimately might use to waterproof mobile phones, prevent ice from forming on airplanes or protect boat hulls from corroding. This superhydrophobic coating is to create this surface; scientists combined one tough and one flexible plastic.
Ph.D. student William Wong, said, “It is like two interwoven fishing nets, made of different materials.”
Lead researcher Antonio Tricoli, said, “The new material could change how we interact with liquids. It will keep skyscraper windows clean and prevent the mirror in the bathroom from fogging up.”
“The key innovation is that this transparent coating can stabilise very fragile nanomaterials resulting in ultra-durable nanotextures with numerous real-world applications,” he said.
Scientists developed two methods to create the material. Both methods are simple and cheap than existing manufacturing process. One method uses a flame to produce the nanoparticle constituents of the material. Scientists have then dissolved the two components in a sprayable form to used them in lower temperature applications.
Wong claimed, “In addition to waterproofing, the new ability to control the properties of materials could be applied to a wide range of other coatings. A lot of the functional surfaces today are feeble, but we will be able to implement the same principles to make robust layers that are, for example, anti-corrosive, self-cleaning or oil-repellent.”