Abstract: Omniphilic and superomniphilic surfaces for simultaneous vapor condensation and airborne liquid droplet collection are provided. Also provided are methods for using the surfaces to condense liquid vapor and/or capture airborne liquid droplets, such as water droplets found in mist and fog. The surfaces provide enhanced capture and transport efficiency based on preferential capillary condensation on high surface energy surfaces, thin film dynamics, and force convection.

Abstract: Particle removal systems and methods are provided. The systems and methods utilize flexible wires to collect solid particles and remove them from a carrier liquid in which they are suspended. The solid particles, the wires, or both the solid particles and the wires are coated by a liquid. As the carrier liquid containing the particles passes through the particle removal system, the liquid coatings on the solid particles and/or the flexible wires selectively adhere the solid particles to the flexible wires.

Abstract: An airborne particle removal system includes a wire filter having a housing that includes a wall. The wall has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The wire filter also has a plurality of layers of wires mounted to the interior surface of the wall of the housing. Each layer in the plurality of layers includes a plurality of wires designed to collect airborne particles from air and release the airborne particles. The system also includes a receptacle configured to receive the airborne particles released from the plurality of wires.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for removing salt from brine are provided. A surfactant is mixed with the brines and the brines are atomized to form airborne brine droplets from which the liquid component can be rapidly evaporated. The remaining airborne salt particles are than filtered from the air stream and the water vapor condensed for collection and downstream use or processing.

Abstract: A method of forming an ice resistant surface includes determining, based at least in part on a desired pattern of frost formation, a vertex angle for a ridge that is to be formed on a substrate. The method also includes determining, based at least in part on the desired pattern of frost formation, a vertex height for the ridge that is to be formed on the substrate. The method further includes forming a plurality of ridges on the substrate, where each ridge in the plurality of ridges has the vertex angle and the vertex height.

Abstract: Self-healing, hydrophobic composites and related methods are provided. A method of repelling water may comprise forming a layer of a self-healing, hydrophobic composite comprising a porous network of entangled polymer fibers and a hydrophobic phase change material infused throughout the network, on a surface of a substrate to form a treated surface; and exposing the treated surface to water, wherein the treated surface exhibits a native water droplet contact angle which is greater than that of an untreated surface without the layer of the composite.

Abstract: A system to collect liquid includes a wavy surface formed on a substrate, where the wavy surface includes a plurality of waves. The plurality of waves are configured to capture liquid from the air such that the liquid accumulates in valleys of the waves. The system also includes a liquid collection container configured to collect the liquid captured on the plurality of waves.

Abstract: Methods of removing a film of a biological material from a surface are provided. In embodiments, such a method comprises applying magnetic particles to a surface contaminated with a film of a biological material; and exposing the magnetic particles to a changing magnetic field to move the magnetic particles relative to the contaminated surface, thereby removing the film from the surface.

Abstract: Omniphilic and superomniphilic surfaces for simultaneous vapor condensation and airborne liquid droplet collection are provided. Also provided are methods for using the surfaces to condense liquid vapor and/or capture airborne liquid droplets, such as water droplets found in mist and fog. The surfaces provide enhanced capture and transport efficiency based on preferential capillary condensation on high surface energy surfaces, thin film dynamics, and force convection.

Abstract: Methods of removing a film of a biological material from a surface are provided. In embodiments, such a method comprises applying magnetic particles to a surface contaminated with a film of a biological material; and exposing the magnetic particles to a changing magnetic field to move the magnetic particles relative to the contaminated surface, thereby removing the film from the surface.

Abstract: Sub-micrometer to centimeter scale rough symmetric and asymmetric structures are incorporated onto objects (e.g. tubes and fms). Asymmetric and hierarchically structured slippery structures can be applied to a broad range of materials and shapes of surfaces for manufacturing heat exchangers, dew harvesting devices, desalination devices, de-humidifiers, distillation towers, evaporation coils, anti-cavitation coatings, etc.

Abstract: Inverted Nanocone Structures and Its Fabrication Process. The method of fabricating nanotextured structures includes making a master mold having an array of tapered structures to be replicated. The master mold is pressed into a curable polymer supported on a substrate and the polymer is cured. Thereafter, the mold is detached from the cured polymer to form the nanotextured structure.

Abstract: A structure for collecting liquid droplets from an aerosol can have a structure and properties that are selected for efficient liquid collection. In particular, the strand radius and spacing of a mesh, and a material for coating the mesh, can be selected to provide efficient collection of water droplets from fog.

Abstract: Fabrication method. At least first and second hardmasks are deposited on a substrate, the thickness and materials of the first and second hardmask selected to provided etch selectivity with respect to the substrate. A nanoscale pattern of photoresist is created on the first hardmask and the hardmask is etched through to create the nanoscale pattern on a second hardmask. The second hardmask is etched through to create the desired taper nanocone structures in the substrate. Reactive ion etching is preferred. A glass manufacturing process using a roller imprint module is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device and method for preparing a device having a superoleophobic surface are disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate; coating a lift-off resist layer on the substrate; baking the lift-off resist layer; layering a photoresist layer on the lift-off resist layer; performing photolithography to create a textured pattern in the photoresist layer and the lift-off resist layer, and chemically modifying the textured pattern to create a superoleophobic surface.

Abstract: Titania-based porous nanoparticle coatings are mechanically robust, with low haze, which exhibit short time scales for decomposition of fingerprint oils under ultraviolet light. The mechanism by which a typical dactylogram is consumed combines wicking of the sebum into the nanoporous titania structure followed by photocatalytic degradation. These TiO2 nanostructured surfaces are also anti-fogging, anti-bacterial, and compatible with flexible glass substrates and remain photocatalytically active in natural sunlight.

Abstract: A device and method for preparing a device having a superoleophobic surface are disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate; coating a lift-off resist layer on the substrate; baking the lift-off resist layer; layering a photoresist layer on the lift-off resist layer; performing photolithography to create a textured pattern in the photoresist layer and the lift-off resist layer, and chemically modifying the textured pattern to create a superoleophobic surface.

Abstract: A structure for collecting liquid droplets from an aerosol can have a structure and properties that are selected for efficient liquid collection. In particular, the strand radius and spacing of a mesh, and a material for coating the mesh, can be selected to provide efficient collection of water droplets from fog.

Abstract: A device and method for preparing a device having a superoleophobic surface are disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate; coating a lift-off resist layer on the substrate; baking the lift-off resist layer; layering a photoresist layer on the lift-off resist layer; performing photolithography to create a textured pattern in the photoresist layer and the lift-off resist layer, and chemically modifying the textured pattern to create a superoleophobic surface.

Abstract: Inverted Nanocone Structures and Its Fabrication Process. The method of fabricating nanotextured structures includes making a master mold having an array of tapered structures to be replicated. The master mold is pressed into a curable polymer supported on a substrate and the polymer is cured. Thereafter, the mold is detached from the cured polymer to form the nanotextured structure.