Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Fast Imaging Technique to Study Drop Impact Dynamics of Non-Newtonian Fluids
Published on: March 5, 2014
Flexible Superomniphobic Surface Enabling Ultrafast Shattering of Organic Droplets under Extreme Impacts
Hyunah Ahn1, Geun-Tae Yun1, Byungeun Jeon2
1Organic Opto-Electronic Materials Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (BK21 four), Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Achieving robust superomniphobic surfaces capable of repelling both high- and low-surface-tension liquids (e.g., water, organic solvents) under dynamic conditions remains a challenge. Nature-inspired structures, such as T-shaped or hierarchical architectures, advance static repellency but often fail under high-speed impacts, as minimized solid fractions reduce capillary pressure and allow liquid penetration. Here, we present a flexible, springtail-inspired superomniphobic surface with an optimized solid fraction (∼0.15) that unites strong static repellency with exceptional dynamic resistance. The surface sustains organic droplet shattering at impact velocities up to 4.4 m s-1, the highest reported for artificial superomniphobic surfaces. Under extreme impacts, droplets undergo hierarchical-structure-induced fragmentation and rapid film rupture, enabling retraction-free rebound and an ∼59% reduction in contact time. This behavior reproduces the shattering dynamics of natural organisms and, in certain regimes, exceeds natural benchmarks. Our findings establish design principles for mechanically adaptive, impact-resilient superomniphobic surfaces with potential applications in protective coatings and self-cleaning materials.
More Related Videos
07:18Measuring the Interaction Force Between a Droplet and a Super-hydrophobic Substrate by the Optical Lever Method
Published on: June 14, 2019
08:02Rendering SiO2/Si Surfaces Omniphobic by Carving Gas-Entrapping Microtextures Comprising Reentrant and Doubly Reentrant Cavities or Pillars
Published on: February 11, 2020
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...
Solubility
A solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of a solvent, the major component, and a solute, the minor component. The physical state of a solution—solid, liquid, or gas—is typically the same as that of the solvent. Solute concentrations are often described with qualitative terms such as dilute (of relatively low concentration) and concentrated (of relatively high concentration).
In a solution, the solute particles (molecules, atoms, and/or ions)...
Mass Spectrometry: Molecular Fragmentation Overview
One type of fragmentation pattern is the cleavage of a single bond in the molecular ion. The cleavage leads to a radical and a cation. The cleavage can occur at...
Radical Formation: Homolysis
Fast Reactions