Abstract: In certain embodiments, the invention relates to an article having a liquid-impregnated surface. The surface includes a matrix of solid features (e.g., non-toxic and/or edible features) spaced sufficiently close to stably contain a liquid therebetween or therewithin, wherein the liquid is non-toxic and/or edible. The article may contain, for example, a food or other consumer product, such as ketchup, mustard, or mayonnaise.

Abstract: Presented herein are articles and methods featuring substrates with thin, uniform polymeric films grafted (e.g., covalently bonded) thereupon. The resulting coating provides significant reductions in thermal resistance, drop shedding size, and degradation rate during dropwise condensation of steam compared to existing coatings. Surfaces that promote dropwise shedding of low-surface tension condensates, such as liquid hydrocarbons, are also demonstrated herein.

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.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the invention relates to an article having a liquid-impregnated surface. The surface includes a matrix of solid features (e.g., non-toxic and/or edible features) spaced sufficiently close to stably contain a liquid therebetween or therewithin, wherein the liquid is non-toxic and/or edible. The article may contain, for example, a food or other consumer product, such as ketchup, mustard, or mayonnaise.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to an article that includes a base substrate, an intermediate layer including at least one element or compound selected from titanium, chromium, indium, zirconium, tungsten, and titanium nitride on the base substrate, and a hydrophobic coating on the base substrate, wherein the hydrophobic coating includes a rare earth element material (e.g., a rare earth oxide, a rare earth carbide, a rare earth nitride, a rare earth fluoride, and/or a rare earth boride). An exposed surface of the hydrophobic coating has a dynamic contact angle with water of at least about 90 degrees. A method of manufacturing the article includes providing the base substrate and forming an intermediate layer coating on the base substrate (e.g., through sintering or sputtering) and then forming a hydrophobic coating on the intermediate layer (e.g., through sintering or sputtering).

Abstract: Textured surface for increasing Leidenfrost temperature. The texture comprises of surface features over multiple length scales—from micro to nanoscale—wherein the features at each length scale have a size, aspect ratio, and spacing selected to increase the Leidenfrost temperature. The structure includes an array of microscale structures disposed on the surface, the structure having size, aspect ratio and spacing selected to increase Leidenfrost temperature. The microscale structures may also include nanoscale structures on their surface to create a hierarchical structure. The structures result in an increased Leidenfrost temperature.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides, among other things, prosthetic joint components having textured surface(s) for improving lubrication and increasing the useful life of the prosthetic joint components. The textured surface includes solid features configured to stably contain a biological fluid or a synthetic biological fluid therebetween or therewithin for a non-zero residence time.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the invention relates to an article having a liquid-impregnated surface. The surface includes a matrix of solid features (e.g., non-toxic and/or edible features) spaced sufficiently close to stably contain a liquid therebetween or therewithin, wherein the liquid is non-toxic and/or edible. The article may contain, for example, a food or other consumer product, such as ketchup, mustard, or mayonnaize.

Abstract: Presented herein are articles and methods featuring substrates with thin, uniform polymeric films grafted (e.g., covalently bonded) thereupon. The resulting coating provides significant reductions in thermal resistance, drop shedding size, and degradation rate during dropwise condensation of steam compared to existing coatings. Surfaces that promote dropwise shedding of low-surface tension condensates, such as liquid hydrocarbons, are also demonstrated herein.

Abstract: Described herein are medical devices and medical implements with high lubricity to flesh (or biological fluid) and/or inhibited nucleation on its surface. The device has a surface comprising an impregnating liquid and a plurality of micro-scale and/or nano-scale solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating liquid therebetween. The impregnating liquid fills spaces between said solid features, the surface stably contains the impregnating liquid between the solid features, and the impregnating liquid is substantially held in place between the plurality of solid features regardless of orientation of the surface.

Abstract: Described herein is a contact lens with high lubricity to eye tissue/fluid and inhibited nucleation on its surface. The contact lens has a surface textured to form a matrix of micro-scale and/or nano-scale solid (e.g., gel) features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain an impregnating liquid therebetween. The impregnating liquid fills spaces between the solid features, the surface stably contains the impregnating liquid between the solid features, and the impregnating liquid is substantially held in place between the plurality of solid features regardless of orientation of the surface and despite contact with the eye tissue during normal wear, insertion, and removal of the contact lens.

Abstract: Described herein are conduits for conveying fluids and/or solids, the conduits having an interior surface that provide a high-slip boundary condition, thereby facilitating the flow of material therethrough. In some embodiments, the conduit has an interior surface with an impregnating liquid and a plurality of micro-scale and/or nano-scale solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating liquid therebetween. The impregnating liquid fills spaces between the solid features, the interior surface stably contains the impregnating liquid between the solid features, and the impregnating liquid is substantially held in place between the plurality of solid features regardless of orientation of the interior surface and regardless of flow, passage, or removal of fluids and/or solids through, into, or out of the conduit.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the invention relates to an article having a liquid-impregnated surface. The surface includes a matrix of solid features (e.g., non-toxic and/or edible features) spaced sufficiently close to stably contain a liquid therebetween or therewithin, wherein the liquid is non-toxic and/or edible. The article may contain, for example, a food or other consumer product, such as ketchup, mustard, or mayonnaise.

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.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to an article that includes a base substrate and a hydrophobic coating on the base substrate, wherein the hydrophobic coating includes a rare earth element material (e.g., a rare earth oxide, a rare earth carbide, a rare earth nitride, a rare earth fluoride, and/or a rare earth boride). An exposed surface of the hydrophobic coating has a dynamic contact angle with water of at least about 90 degrees. A method of manufacturing the article includes providing the base substrate and forming a coating on the base substrate (e.g., through sintering or sputtering).

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the invention relates to an article having a liquid-impregnated surface. The surface includes a matrix of solid features (e.g., non-toxic and/or edible features) spaced sufficiently close to stably contain a liquid therebetween or therewithin, wherein the liquid is non-toxic and/or edible. The article may contain, for example, a food or other consumer product, such as ketchup, mustard, or mayonnaise.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the invention relates to an article having a liquid-impregnated surface. The surface includes a matrix of solid features (e.g., non-toxic and/or edible features) spaced sufficiently close to stably contain a liquid therebetween or therewithin, wherein the liquid is non-toxic and/or edible. The article may contain, for example, a food or other consumer product, such as ketchup, mustard, or mayonnaise.

Abstract: The articles and methods described herein provide a way to manipulate condensation on a surface by micro/nano-engineering textures on the surface and filling the spaces between the texture features with an impregnating liquid that is stably held therebetween or therewithin. The articles and methods allow droplets of water, or other condensed phases, even in micrometer size range, to easily shed from the surface, thereby enhancing contact between a condensing species and the condensing surface. It has been found that dropwise condensation is enhanced by the use of an impregnating (secondary) liquid that has a relatively high surface tension, and, even more preferably, an impregnating liquid that has both a high surface tension and a low viscosity.

Abstract: Method for treating thermoplastic to make a surface thereof superhydrophobic. The method includes exposing the thermoplastic to a specific solvent for a selected time period. It is preferred that the treatment time be in the range of one minute to approximately five hours and more preferably in the range of one minute to 15 minutes. Thermoplastics and solvents having a similar solubility parameter interact with one another to form hydrophobic hierarchical surfaces.

Abstract: Textured surface for increasing Leidenfrost temperature. The texture comprises of surface features over multiple length scales—from micro to nanoscale—wherein the features at each length scale have a size, aspect ratio, and spacing selected to increase the Leidenfrost temperature. The structure includes an array of microscale structures disposed on the surface, the structure having size, aspect ratio and spacing selected to increase Leidenfrost temperature. The microscale structures may also include nanoscale structures on their surface to create a hierarchical structure. The structures result in an increased Leidenfrost temperature.