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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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Reversible switching between superhydrophobic states on a hierarchically structured surface.

Tuukka Verho¹, Juuso T Korhonen, Lauri Sainiemi

¹Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University former Helsinki University of Technology, PO Box 15100, FI-00076 Aalto, Espoo, Finland.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

|June 13, 2012

Summary

Researchers developed a novel superhydrophobic surface with dual-scale topography. This surface allows reversible transitions between Cassie states, enabling optical data storage and manipulation on plastrons.

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Surface Science
Biomimetics

Background:

Superhydrophobic surfaces mimic natural examples like plant leaves for self-cleaning.
These surfaces typically rely on the Cassie wetting state, which can be irreversibly lost under pressure.
Loss of the Cassie state transitions to the Wenzel state, compromising nonwetting properties.

Purpose of the Study:

To engineer a superhydrophobic surface with reversible wetting state transitions.
To demonstrate optical information writing, erasing, and rewriting capabilities.
To utilize dual-scale topography for multi-length scale data storage in plastrons.

Main Methods:

Fabrication of a superhydrophobic surface with two-level (dual-scale) topography.
Investigating wetting transitions under applied pressure.
Demonstrating optical data display and manipulation within trapped air plastrons.

Main Results:

Achieved reversible, localized, and instantaneous transitions between two Cassie wetting states.
Successfully wrote, erased, and rewrote optically displayed information.
Showcased data storage capabilities related to different length scales within plastrons.

Conclusions:

Dual-scale topography enables dynamic control over wetting states.
This technology offers a new paradigm for optical data storage and display.
The reversible Cassie state transitions open avenues for advanced functional surfaces.