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Simple Method Yields A Wrinkly, Durable, Water-Repellent Coating (acs.org)
ckwu writes: Superhydrophobic coatings that make water droplets dance and roll off of a surface show promise for applications such as self-cleaning cars, buildings, and food processing equipment. A new method creates a durable superhydrophobic coating by combining two common materials -- Teflon and a shrinkable plastic -- in a few simple steps. The researchers took inspiration from work done with the polystyrene material found in Shrinky Dinks -- the children's crafting kit. They deposited Teflon onto a similar material called PolyShrink, heated it, and found that the Teflon formed a crinkled surface that caused water to bead and roll off easily. The best results came from polyolefin shrink wrap coated with a 10nm-thick layer of Teflon. What's more, the surface is durable, having about the same scratch resistance as an aluminum coating, and repels water even after being scratched. Update: 03/09 16:10 GMT by T : Note: That's nm, rather than mm; now fixed.
Do you write stupid shit on purpose to see if we're paying attention?
Imagine you're lazy and never wash your car. The first time it rains, anything water soluble dissolves in the rain and rinses right off.
Unfortunately, there is an absolute shitload of non-water-soluble stuff stuck to cars, as a result of other cars which burn and/or leak oil.
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"