Journal
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Volume 110, Issue 20, Pages 7992-7997Publisher
NATL ACAD SCIENCES
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1210770110
Keywords
particle adhesion and removal; water-repellant insect wings; nanostructured interfaces; capillary forces
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Funding
- Duke University
- James Cook University
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
- Intel Corporation
- National Science Foundation
- North Carolina Space Grant
- Div Of Chem, Bioeng, Env, & Transp Sys
- Directorate For Engineering [1236373] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
- Div Of Chem, Bioeng, Env, & Transp Sys
- Directorate For Engineering [0846705] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
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The self-cleaning function of superhydrophobic surfaces is conventionally attributed to the removal of contaminating particles by impacting or rolling water droplets, which implies the action of external forces such as gravity. Here, we demonstrate a unique self-cleaning mechanism whereby the contaminated superhydrophobic surface is exposed to condensing water vapor, and the contaminants are autonomously removed by the self-propelled jumping motion of the resulting liquid condensate, which partially covers or fully encloses the contaminating particles. The jumping motion off the superhydrophobic surface is powered by the surface energy released upon coalescence of the condensed water phase around the contaminants. The jumping-condensate mechanism is shown to spontaneously clean superhydrophobic cicada wings, where the contaminating particles cannot be removed by gravity, wing vibration, or wind flow. Our findings offer insights for the development of self-cleaning materials.
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