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Green and Flexible Superhydrophobic Surfaces for Friction and Drag Reduction Using "Pattern Elongated" Nanoimprinting
Panagiotis Sarkiris1,2, Efstathios Kaloudis3, Evangelos Gogolides2
1Laboratory of Advanced Functional Materials and Nanotechnology, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of the Environment, University of the Aegean, 81400 Myrina, Greece.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|April 1, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a fast, eco-friendly method to create superhydrophobic surfaces using thermal nanoimprinting. This technique offers significant potential for drag reduction in microfluidics and maritime applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Surface Engineering
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Superhydrophobic surfaces offer benefits like self-cleaning and drag reduction.
- Current fabrication methods are often complex and expensive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a simple, ultrafast, and eco-friendly method for fabricating nanostructured superhydrophobic surfaces.
- To demonstrate the drag reduction potential of these surfaces using simulations.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of reusable aluminum masters with boehmite nanostructures by boiling aluminum in water.
- Modified thermal nanoimprinting ('pattern elongated' technique) to replicate nanostructures onto polyethylene foils.
- Characterization of superhydrophobic properties (contact angle, hysteresis) and friction measurements.
Main Results:
- Successfully fabricated superhydrophobic polyethylene foils with highly dense, filamentary nanostructures.
- Achieved high contact angles, low hysteresis, and reduced interfacial friction.
- Computational fluid dynamics simulations showed significant pressure drop reduction in various channel configurations.
Conclusions:
- The developed nanoimprinting method is a viable, cost-effective approach for producing superhydrophobic surfaces.
- These surfaces demonstrate substantial potential for hydrodynamic drag reduction in microfluidic and maritime applications.
