Scientists make water ‘bounce’ on laser-etched metal
Physicists have created metal surfaces that repel water to the extent that droplets bounce away.
They sculpted the surface of small pieces of metal, using fast bursts from a very high-powered laser.
The materials "self-clean" because water droplets gather dust particles before they slide away.
If it can be scaled up, the technique could help produce hygienic, easily-maintained devices - from solar panels to toilets - that do not rust or ice up.
Published in the Journal of Applied Physics, the work showed that a water droplet dropped from 2cm would bounce back higher than 5mm, maintaining 30% of its energy.
Video courtesy of Matthew Mann / University of Rochester
21 Jan 2015