Abstract: A method for rendering a microstructured surface of a substrate hydrophobic comprises a first step of applying to the microstructured surface a coating composition capable of forming a hydrophobic coating having a nanoscale roughness on the microstructured surface. The composition is then cured to form a hydrophobic coating having a nanoscale roughness on the microstructured surface. The resultant surface has both nanoscale roughness and microscale roughness.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for forming a hydrophobic coating on the surface of a solid substrate, the method comprising: a) applying to the surface a composition comprising hydrophobic nano-sized particles, wherein at least some of the hydrophobic nano-sized particles are particles having at least one fluoro-substituted non-polar group on the surface of the particle; and b) curing the applied composition to form a coating bound to the surface, wherein the nano-sized particles provide the surface of the coating with nano-scale roughness. The method can be used to form a hydrophobic and lyophobic coating on the surface of a textile.

Abstract: A hydrophobic coating composition comprising: (a) nanoparticles or precursors capable of forming nanoparticles; (b) microparicles; and (c) an organic solvent. The coating composition can be applied to a surface of a substrate to form a hydrophobic coating having both microscale and nanoscale roughness.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a substantially continuous circumferential coating on a non-planar substrate, is disclosed the method comprising the steps of: utilising a substantially non directional deposition technique and a substantially static substrate deposition geometry to deposit the coating. Coatings can be deposited which include piezoelectric modulation characteristics or electro-optic modulation characteristics. Ideally the coating has semiconducting properties. The type of coating ideally includes Zinc-Oxide coatings. The non directional deposition technique can comprise chemical vapor deposition via single source chemical vapor deposition. Suitable substrates include optical fibers which are clamped onto a substantially planar heating surface during the deposition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of growing a ZnO film using chemical vapour deposition (CVD), and to a ZnO film grown according to the method. The method includes providing a precursor in vapour form, the precursor substantially comprising Zn4O(O2CNRARB)6, where RA and RB are any combination of akyl or perfluoroalkyl groups, and decomposing at least some of the vapour at the surface of the substrate such that the film of zinc oxide forms. An advantage of using this precursor material is that, unlike in the prior art, no deliberate introduction of water vapour to improve christallographic orientation is required. Higher purities in oxide films are produced.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a modified gel capable of forming a hydrophobic surface on which water has a contact angle of at least 150°. Additionally, a method is provided for forming a hydrophobic coating from the modified gel. In some embodiments, the hydrophobic coating has an extremely high hydrophobicity with a contact angle in excess of 165°, and good substrate adhesion. The method involves bonding a gel with particulate matter. It is believed that the chemical hydrophobicity of the gel is enhanced by the physical roughness of the particulate matter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of growing a ZnO film using chemical vapour deposition (CVD), and to a ZnO film grown according to the method. The method comprises the steps of: a) providing a precursor in vapour form, the precursor substantially comprising Zn4O(O2CNRARB)6, where RA and RB are any combination of alkyl or perfluoralkyl groups; b) decomposing at least some of the vapour at the surface of the substrate such that the film of zinc oxide forms. An advantage of using this precursor material is that, unlike in the prior art, no deliberate introduction of water vapour to improve chrystalographic orientation is required. Higher purities in oxide films are produced.

Abstract: A method of applying a hydrophobic film to a surface, the method comprising the steps of (a) optionally modifying particles to be coated on the surface so as to form functional groups thereon: (b) applying particles having functional groups thereon to the surface to be coated: and (c) treating the applied particles such that the particles arc bound together and to the surface by chemical cross-linking of the functional groups on the particles. The method may further include the addition of a non-silicone polymer to the particles prior to step (b) to assist in the formation of the film.