New nanoscale coating repels the most liquids to date

Researchers from the University of Michigan have engineered a new nanoscale coating made of anywhere between 95 and 99 per cent air, which repels more liquids than ever before.

The coating, made from a compound called polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), a plastic, and nanoscale cubes, are applied using a technique called electrospinning. The basis behind electrospinning is using “an electric charge to create fine particle of solid from a liquid solution,” Science Daily posted.

Researcher Dr. AnishTuteja, assistant professor at the University of Michigan, revealed “virtually any liquid you throw on it bounces right off without wetting it.”

The coating repels more than 100 liquids, including gasoline, alcohols, coffee, soy sauce, vegetable oil, hydrochloric and sulphuric acid. Unfortunately, the coating can be penetrated by chlorofluorocarbons, which are no longer used due to their contribution to the deterioration of the ozone layer.

Currently, researchers have only coated postage-stamp-sized swatches of fabric and “small tiles of screen.”

In the future, researchers hope that the material could be used in garments for the military, science, and even paints on ships that will reduce drag.