Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to systems and methods for creating durable lubricious surfaces (DLS) via interfacial modification. The DLS can be prepared via a combination of a solid, a liquid, and an additive that modifies the interface between the DLS and a contact liquid, resulting in an interfacial layer that acts as a lubricant and/or protective coating between the DLS and the contact liquid. The lubricating effect created between the additive and the contact liquid results in enhanced slipperiness, as well as the protective properties that can help with durability of the DLS.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to articles, devices, and methods for inhibiting or preventing the formation of scale during various industrial processes. In certain embodiments, a vessel is provided for use in an industrial process, the vessel including a surface in contact with a mineral solution, wherein the surface is provided or is modified to have ?polar/?total no greater than about 0.2 and/or the surface is provided or is modified to have a surface energy ? no greater than about 32 mJ/m2, thereby providing resistance to mineral scale deposits thereupon.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an article with a liquid-impregnated surface, the surface having a matrix of features thereupon, spaced sufficiently close to stably contain a liquid therebetween or therewithin, and preferable also a thin film thereupon. The surface provides the article with advantageous non-wetting properties. Compared to previous non-wetting surfaces, which include a gas (e.g., air) entrained within surface textures, these liquid-impregnated surfaces are resistant to impalement and frost formation, and are therefore more robust.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the invention is directed to apparatus comprising a liquid-impregnated surface, said surface comprising an impregnating liquid and a matrix of solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating liquid therebetween or therewithin, and methods thereof. In some embodiments, one or both of the following holds: (i) 0<??0.25, where ? is a representative fraction of the projected surface area of the liquid-impregnated surface corresponding to non-submerged solid at equilibrium; and (ii) Sow(a)<0, where Sow(a) is spreading coefficient, defined as ?wa??wo??oa, where ? is the interfacial tension between the two phases designated by subscripts w, a, and o, where w is water, a is air, and o is the impregnating liquid.

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 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: Embodiments described herein relate to methods of forming liquid-impregnated surfaces, and in particular to methods of preparing solid particle solutions for forming textured surfaces which can be impregnated with an impregnating liquid to form a liquid-impregnated surface. In some embodiments, a method of forming a textured surface includes dissolving a solid in a solvent to form a solution. The solid has a concentration, which is less than a first saturation concentration of the solid in the solvent at a first temperature and greater than a second saturation concentration of the solid in the solvent at a second temperature. The solution is allowed to form a solid particle solution. The solid particle solution is then disposed on a surface and the solvent is allowed to evaporate to form the textured surface on the surface.

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 is directed to apparatus comprising a liquid-impregnated surface, said surface comprising an impregnating liquid and a matrix of solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating liquid therebetween or therewithin, and methods thereof. In some embodiments, one or both of the following holds: (i) 0<??0.25, where ? is a representative fraction of the projected surface area of the liquid-impregnated surface corresponding to non-submerged solid at equilibrium; and (ii) Sow(a)<0, where Sow(a) is spreading coefficient, defined as ?wa??wo??oa, where ? is the interfacial tension between the two phases designated by subscripts w, a, and o, where w is water, a is air, and o is the impregnating liquid.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of producing a liquid-impregnated surface includes forming a solid particle suspension including a plurality of solid particles with an average dimension of between about 5 nm and about 200 ?m. The solid particle suspension is applied to a surface by spray-depositing the solid particle suspension onto the surface. An impregnating liquid is also applied to the surface. The plurality of solid particles and the impregnating liquid collectively form a liquid-impregnated surface. The impregnating liquid can be applied after the solid particle suspension is applied, or the solid particle suspension can include the impregnating liquid, such that the solid particle suspension and the impregnating liquid are concurrently spray-deposited onto the surface.

Abstract: A container for housing a contact liquid includes a liquid-impregnated surface in contact with a contact liquid. The liquid-impregnated surface includes a first surface having a first roll off angle. A plurality of solid features are disposed on the first surface, such that a plurality of interstitial regions are defined between the plurality of solid features. An impregnating liquid is disposed in the interstitial regions and the interstitial regions are configured such that that the impregnating liquid is retained in the interstitial regions by capillary forces. The impregnating liquid disposed in the interstitial regions defines a second surface having a second roll off angle less than the first roll off angle. The container further includes a nucleation mechanism configured to nucleate and destabilize a film of the contact liquid disposed on the liquid-impregnated surface, such that the film of the contact liquid can be rapidly removed from the container.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to articles and methods for forming liquid surface films on the interior surfaces of containers for holding one or more products comprising one or more Bingham plastic materials. Bingham plastic materials behave as a solid under no or low shear stress, and behave as viscous liquids when an applied shear stress exceeds a yield stress. In some embodiments, a container for containing a product includes an interior surface and a liquid disposed on the interior surface. Before introduction of a product into a container, the liquid may be surrounded by air. The liquid-air interface in contact with the interior surface makes a contact angle, ?os(a), with respect to the interior surface of the container, of about 0°. After a product has been introduced to the container, the liquid is at least partially covered by the product. The liquid-product interface in contact with the interior surface, makes a contact angle, ?os(p), with respect to the interior surface, of less about 60®.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to containers having liquid-impregnated surfaces disposed on their interior surfaces. The liquid-impregnated surfaces may compose an arrangement of solid and/or semi-solid features, defining one or more interstitial regions therebetween, and an impregnating liquid preferentially wetted to those regions. The containers may be designed to contain a product that is intended for human or animal consumption. The solid and/or semi-solid features and the impregnating liquid collectively define a secondary surface (e.g., substantially parallel to the interior surface on which the liquid-impregnated surfaces are disposed) and may include materials which are non-toxic. In particular, non-toxic liquid-impregnated surfaces of the disclosure may be configured for use in food, drugs, health and/or beauty product applications.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the invention is directed to apparatus comprising a liquid-impregnated surface, said surface comprising an impregnating liquid and a matrix of solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating liquid therebetween or therewithin, and methods thereof. In some embodiments, one or both of the following holds: (i) 0<??0.25, where ? is a representative fraction of the projected surface area of the liquid-impregnated surface corresponding to non-submerged solid at equilibrium; and (ii) Sow(a)<0, where Sow(a) is spreading coefficient, defined as ?wa??wo??oa, where ? is the interfacial tension between the two phases designated by subscripts w, a, and o, where w is water, a is air, and o is the impregnating liquid.

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 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: 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: The invention is directed to an article with a liquid-impregnated surface, the surface having a matrix of features thereupon, spaced sufficiently close to stably contain a liquid therebetween or therewithin, and preferable also a thin film thereupon. The surface provides the article with advantageous non-wetting properties. Compared to previous non-wetting surfaces, which include a gas (e.g., air) entrained within surface textures, these liquid-impregnated surfaces are resistant to impalement and frost formation, and are therefore more robust.

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: The invention is directed to an article with a liquid-impregnated surface, the surface having a matrix of features thereupon, spaced sufficiently close to stably contain a liquid therebetween or therewithin, and preferable also a thin film thereupon. The surface provides the article with advantageous non-wetting properties. Compared to previous non-wetting surfaces, which include a gas (e.g., air) entrained within surface textures, these liquid-impregnated surfaces are resistant to impalement and frost formation, and are therefore more robust.