Chemists from Aalto University have developed a new method of coating surfaces with self-assembled monolayers (SAM) to create ultra-slick surfaces. These SAMs feature a fluid-like surface that dramatically reduces friction, allowing water droplets to glide across with ease. By varying the growth time of the SAMs, the researchers found that both low and high coverage yielded exceptional slipperiness. This research has practical applications such as de-icing, anti-fogging, and self-cleaning surfaces.
Scientists in Finland have developed the world's most water-resistant surface by creating solid silicon surfaces with a "liquid-like" outer layer that repels water, making droplets slide off with unprecedented efficacy. This breakthrough could revolutionize various industries, including plumbing, shipping, and the auto industry. The discovery challenges existing ideas about friction between solid surfaces and water, opening new avenues for studying slipperiness at the molecular level. The researchers plan to further improve the self-assembled monolayer and explore its potential applications in heat transfer, microfluidics, and creating self-cleaning surfaces.
