Flexible and Stable Omniphobic Surfaces Based on Biomimetic Repulsive Air-Spring Structures

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Surface Science
• Bioengineering

Background:

• Surface wettability significantly impacts blood clotting in artificial biological circulation systems like extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
• Existing omniphobic surfaces often rely on chemical coatings or rigid materials, posing challenges for biomedical applications due to toxicity, durability, and inflexibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a flexible and stable omniphobic surface for biomedical applications, specifically to prevent blood clotting.
• To mimic the re-entrant structure found on springtail skin to create a robust liquid-repellent surface.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a surface comprising a thin nanohole membrane supported by microstructures, designed to trap air.
• Utilized theoretical wetting models and simulations to confirm the mechanism of omniphobicity.
• Conducted blood experiments on both flat and curved surfaces to assess performance.

Main Results:

• The biomimetic surface effectively repels both hydrophilic and oleophilic liquids, increasing the contact angle.
• The omniphobic property is attributed to the trapped air within the nanohole membrane and microstructure.
• The surface demonstrated stability and maintained omniphobicity even under high pressure conditions.

Conclusions:

• The developed flexible and stable omniphobic surface shows significant potential for reducing blood clotting in biomedical devices.
• Mimicking natural structures like springtail skin offers a promising route for creating advanced biomaterials.
• This innovation could have a substantial impact on the safety and efficacy of blood-contacting medical applications.