Additional Information

As you've heard from Kathryn previously (from the video), we design the metallic surface with tiny mushroom-like structures such that it physically repels liquids. The characteristic size of these structures are on the sub-micro scale, smaller than the thickness of the average human hair (See below).



What's important about the geometry of these structures is that there is a big head on top of a small stalk. With a uniform arrangement of these tiny structures, the liquid will wet the structures (as seen in graphic below) such that the air pockets that form below the heads of the mushrooms will act to suspend the liquid.



In essence, the contact area between the liquid and the solid surface is minimized, allowing the liquid to bead up and roll around freely, much like how water acts on a Lotus leaf:

This behavior is known as the “Lotus Effect” , where water beads up on lotus leaves and easily rolls around with the smallest perturbations. This is a prime example of a superhydrophobic surface. Such an effect is achievable with sub-micro and nanoscale structures on the surface, which manifest as pod-like structures on the lotus leaf [see below].


Burton(2005)

We have gained a substantial amount of traction through various college-wide student competitions. In January 2012, we took the Grand Prize Award at the SEBA Science and Technology Showcase, which gave us $1000 further our research.



Our progress on both the technology and commercial potential was recognized as we won the Honorable Mention Award at the UW Environmental Innovation Challenge, which raised another $2500 worth of prototype funds to help sustain our efforts.

If you'd like to contact us directly, feel free to email us!
Nick Wang: nickwang.n@gmail.com
Kathryn Cogert: cogerk@gmail.com