Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026

Rendering SiO2/Si Surfaces Omniphobic by Carving Gas-Entrapping Microtextures Comprising Reentrant and Doubly Reentrant Cavities or Pillars
Published on: February 11, 2020
Metastable wetting on superhydrophobic surfaces: continuum and atomistic views of the Cassie-Baxter-Wenzel transition
Alberto Giacomello1, Mauro Chinappi, Simone Meloni
1Dipartimento di Ingegneria Meccanica e Aerospaziale, Università di Roma La Sapienza, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Roma, Italy.
Abstract:
In this Letter, we develop a continuum theory for the Cassie-Baxter-Wenzel (CB-W) transition. The proposed model accounts for the metastabilities in the wetting of rough hydrophobic surfaces, allows us to reconstruct the transition mechanism, and identifies the free energy barriers separating the CB and W states as a function of the liquid pressure. This information is crucial in the context of superhydrophobic surfaces, where there is interest in extending the duration of the metastable superhydrophobic CB state. The model is validated against free energy atomistic simulations.
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...
Theories of Dissolution: The Danckwerts' Model and Interfacial Barrier Model
Cohesion
On a surface,...
Phase Transitions: Vaporization and Condensation
Surface Tension
Phase Transitions: Sublimation and Deposition

