Development of superhydrophobic surfaces for sanitation solutions
2011 - 2015 • University of Rochester
Purpose
The superhydrophobic material will repel wastes and collect clean water with virtually no external energy needed.
Activities
Recently, we invented a technique in my laboratory that uses lasers to transform a regular material surface super-hydrophilic. Compared to other hydrophilic materials, the hydrophilicity we created is shockingly strong. In a dramatic demonstration, we showed that a regular piece of metal or glass, after treated by our process, exhibits such a strong hydrophilic effect that liquids, once touch the bottom of a vertically-standing treated surface, will defy the gravity and sprint uphill at an unprecedented velocity (several centimeters per second). This invention and the related applications have been extensively documented in scientific literature and also broadly covered by the news media. Based on the superhydrophilic technique pioneered in my lab, we developed the counterpart technique of superhydrophobicity under this Gate’s project. A superhydrophobic material will repel wastes and collect clean water with virtually no external energy needed. This technology can potentially bring a leap forward in sanitation technology.
Countries of activity
Location of main activity
Objectives
to develop a superhydrophobic material that will repel wastes and collect clean water with virtually no external energy needed.
Filter tags
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Fundamental research and engineering Global North America Product design and engineering Toilets or urinals (user interface) University, education or research institution
Links
Uploaded by:
Trevor Surridge (tmsinnovation)
