Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Fabrication of Superhydrophobic Metal Surfaces for Anti-Icing Applications
Published on: August 15, 2018
A thermodynamic approach for determining the contact angle hysteresis for superhydrophobic surfaces
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G8, Canada.
Abstract:
Contact angle hysteresis (CAH) is critical to superhydrophobicity of a surface. This study proposes a free energy thermodynamic analysis (of a 2-D model surface) that significantly simplifies calculations of free energy barrier associated with CAH phenomena. A microtextured surface with pillar structure, typical of one used in experimental studies, is used as an example. We demonstrate that the predicted CAH and equilibrium contact angles are consistent with experimental observations and predictions of Wenzel's and Cassie's equations, respectively. We also establish a criterion for transition between noncomposite and composite wetting states. The results and methodology presented can potentially be used for designing superhydrophobic surfaces.
More Related Videos
07:18Measuring the Interaction Force Between a Droplet and a Super-hydrophobic Substrate by the Optical Lever Method
Published on: June 14, 2019
08:02Rendering SiO2/Si Surfaces Omniphobic by Carving Gas-Entrapping Microtextures Comprising Reentrant and Doubly Reentrant Cavities or Pillars
Published on: February 11, 2020
Related Concept Videos
Surface Tension, Capillary Action, and Viscosity
The various IMFs between identical molecules of a substance are examples of cohesive forces. The molecules within a liquid are surrounded by other molecules and are attracted equally in all directions by the cohesive forces within the liquid. However, the molecules on the surface of a liquid are attracted only by about one-half as many molecules. Because of the unbalanced molecular attractions on the surface molecules, liquids contract to form a shape that minimizes the number...
Enthalpy of Solution
Surface Tension and Surface Energy
Consider a beaker filled with liquid. The bulk molecules in the liquid experience equal attractive forces on all sides with the surrounding molecules. However, the surface molecules experience a net attractive force downward due to the bulk molecules. The surface of the liquid behaves like a stretched membrane,...
Contact Angle
The adhesive force is the molecular force between molecules of different materials, that is, between the molecules of the solid and the liquid. The cohesive force...
Surface Tension
Oriented Surfaces