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Related Concept Videos

Surface Tension of Fluid01:22

Surface Tension of Fluid

Surface tension is a fundamental property of fluids, occurring at the boundary between a liquid and a gas or between two immiscible liquids. This phenomenon arises from the cohesive forces between molecules at the fluid's surface, creating an effect similar to a stretched elastic membrane. Inside each fluid, molecules are equally attracted in all directions by neighboring molecules, but surface molecules experience a net inward force, resulting in surface tension.
Surface tension varies with...
Surface Tension, Capillary Action, and Viscosity02:57

Surface Tension, Capillary Action, and Viscosity

Surface Tension
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...
Cohesion01:07

Cohesion

Cohesion is the attraction between molecules of the same type, such as water molecules. Water molecules have an overall neutral charge but are polar molecule. An oxygen atom in one water molecule has a partial negative charge that can bind to a hydrogen atom with a partial positive charge in a second water molecule, forming a hydrogen bond. Each water molecule can form up to four hydrogen bonds with other water molecules. Hydrogen bonds are responsible for water's cohesive nature.
On a surface,...
Adhesion01:14

Adhesion

Adhesion occurs when one type of molecule is attracted to a different molecule. Water exhibits adhesive properties in the presence of polar surfaces, such as glass or cellulose in plants. For instance, when water is poured into a glass, the positively charged hydrogen molecules of water are more attracted to the negatively charged oxygen molecules in the silica than to the oxygen in neighboring water molecules.
Capillary action is a result of water’s adhesive tendencies. When a narrow glass...
Surface Tension01:24

Surface Tension

Surface tension is defined as the force per unit length (γ) acting along the surface of a liquid. It arises due to strong intermolecular forces of attraction. A molecule located inside the bulk of the liquid is surrounded by other molecules and experiences equal forces in all directions. However, a molecule at the surface experiences unbalanced forces because there are more neighboring molecules below than above. This creates a net inward force that pulls surface molecules toward the interior,...
Capillarity in Fluid01:19

Capillarity in Fluid

Capillarity describes the movement of liquid in small spaces without external forces acting on it. The capillarity is driven by surface tension and adhesive interactions between the liquid and surrounding solid surfaces. This effect is often seen in narrow tubes, porous materials, and fine particles.
Surface tension is crucial to capillarity. It results from cohesive forces between liquid molecules at the liquid-air boundary, forming a skin that resists external forces. When the capillary tube...

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Rendering SiO2/Si Surfaces Omniphobic by Carving Gas-Entrapping Microtextures Comprising Reentrant and Doubly Reentrant Cavities or Pillars
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Rendering SiO2/Si Surfaces Omniphobic by Carving Gas-Entrapping Microtextures Comprising Reentrant and Doubly Reentrant Cavities or Pillars

Published on: February 11, 2020

An introduction to superhydrophobicity.

Neil J Shirtcliffe1, Glen McHale, Shaun Atherton

  • 1School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK. neil.shirtcliffe@ntu.ac.uk

Advances in Colloid and Interface Science
|December 1, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Superhydrophobicity combines surface roughness and hydrophobicity, creating surfaces that repel water like mercury. This phenomenon, also known as the Lotus Effect, has natural applications and is explored in this introductory paper.

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Last Updated: Jun 18, 2026

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Area of Science:

  • Physics
  • Materials Science
  • Surface Science

Background:

  • Superhydrophobicity is a phenomenon where specific surface properties lead to extreme water repellency.
  • This effect is observed in nature, such as in the Lotus Effect, and has significant technological implications.
  • Understanding superhydrophobicity is crucial for developing advanced materials and applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce the concept of superhydrophobicity to a broader scientific audience, including those outside the field.
  • To explain the fundamental theories and mechanisms behind superhydrophobic surfaces.
  • To outline methods for creating superhydrophobic surfaces and discuss their potential applications.

Main Methods:

  • Review of theoretical models explaining the interplay of roughness and hydrophobicity.
  • Description of fabrication techniques for generating superhydrophobic surfaces.
  • Analysis of the properties and behaviors of water on these engineered surfaces.

Main Results:

  • Superhydrophobic surfaces exhibit high contact angles and low sliding angles, causing water droplets to bounce and roll off.
  • The combination of surface topography (roughness) and low surface energy (hydrophobicity) is key to achieving this effect.
  • Examples of natural and artificial superhydrophobic surfaces are presented, illustrating their diverse functionalities.

Conclusions:

  • Superhydrophobicity offers a unique approach to surface engineering with applications in self-cleaning, anti-icing, and microfluidics.
  • Further research into the theories and fabrication methods can unlock new possibilities for superhydrophobic materials.
  • The principles of superhydrophobicity have broad implications across various scientific and industrial domains.