Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026
07:32
Pool-Boiling Heat-Transfer Enhancement on Cylindrical Surfaces with Hybrid Wettable Patterns
Published on: April 10, 2017
9.4K
Scalable Hot-Water-Repellent Superhydrophobicity via Thermal Insulation
Zhen Liu1,2, Rawand M Rasheed1, Anoop Rajappan1,3
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|January 9, 2026
Summary
Multilayered insulated superhydrophobic (MISH) coatings prevent hot water damage to superhydrophobic surfaces. This scalable thermal design retains water repellency up to 90 °C, offering durable and cost-effective solutions.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Surface Chemistry
- Thermal Engineering
Background:
- Superhydrophobic surfaces repel water via surface texture and chemistry.
- Hot water (≳40 °C) causes failure by replacing the air layer through evaporation and recondensation.
- Existing solutions involve complex structures or chemical treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a scalable method to maintain superhydrophobicity in hot water.
- To present a thermal design approach mitigating condensation-induced failure.
- To demonstrate a cost-effective and durable solution.
Main Methods:
- Development of a multilayered insulated superhydrophobic (MISH) coating.
- Utilizing thermal design to prevent heat transfer.
- Conducting long-term droplet impingement experiments (>1 million impacts).
Main Results:
- MISH coatings retain superhydrophobicity up to 90 °C impinging water temperatures.
- Durability demonstrated through extensive droplet impact testing.
- A detailed thermal model confirmed self-similar behavior across parameters.
Conclusions:
- The MISH coating offers a scalable, cost-effective solution for maintaining superhydrophobicity in hot water.
- The thermal design approach effectively prevents condensation-induced failure.
- Potential applications in energy, chemical processing, food, and medical industries.
