Steele A. – TechConnect Briefs

Coating Resistance to Biofouling Inception for Freshwater Vehicles

Malm P., Krishnan G., Loth R., Steele A., Bayer I., University of Virginia, US

Preventing biofouling in natural bodies of freshwater is important for a wide variety of applications. The relationship between surface properties and antifouling has been the subject of many recent studies, with primary focus on long-term [...]

Effect of superhydrophobic nanocomposite surface roughness on anti-icing performance

Davis A., Yeong Y.H., Steele A., Loth E., Bayer I.S., University of Virginia, US

While past work has shown the ice-phobic potential of a superhydrophobic surface or noted the effect of surface area on ice adhesion to an array of microposts, questions still remain on the effect of a [...]

Durability of a superhydrophobic nanocomposite coating under extended replicated rain impact

Davis A., Yeong Y.H., Steele A., Bayer I., Loth E., DeCombarieu G., University of Virginia, US

The objective of this study was to test the mechanical durability of a polyurethane/organoclay nanocomposite modified with perfluoroalkyl methacrylic copolymer in conditions that replicate extended rain impact. Samples were impacted with 1.4 mm droplets at [...]

An Electrolytic Reaction to Resist Saturation on Conductive Superhydrophobic Nanocomposites

Cheek J., Steele A., Loth E., University of Virginia, US

The following abstract investigates superhydrophobic nanocomposite surfaces that are continuously submerged in water. Unfortunately, the surfaces lose superhydrophobic functionality under constant contact with water. Until recently, there has been little analysis on this performance behavior. [...]

Impact of spray-casting height and pressure on durability and superhydrophobicity of nanocomposite coatings

Yeong Y.H., Davis A., Steele A., Loth E., Bayer I., De Combarieu G., Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, University of Virginia, US

Recently, researchers introduced a new technique to fabricate superhydrophobic coatings by spray-casting polymer-nanoparticle suspensions using an air-atomizing nozzle. Upon thermosetting, the deposited polymer networks crosslink to form a durable, superhydrophobic nanocomposite coating. However, while the [...]

Adhesion strength and superhydrophobicity in polyurethane/organoclay nanocomposites

Steele A., Bayer I., Yeong Y.H., Loth E., University of Virginia, US

Polyurethane coatings are used on many different materials and in a wide variety of applications due to its high durability and adaptable chemical composition. Although there are a number of reports on the fabrication of [...]

Impact of Temperature and Humidity on Superhydrophobicity of Polyurethane/Organoclay Nanocomposites

Yeong Y.H., Steele A., Bayer I., Lakeman C., De Combarieu G., Loth E., University of Virginia, US

Recent preliminary investigations show that superhydrophobic coatings have the capability to reduce both ice accumulation and adhesion on a surface. Although there are recent studies of anti-icing superhydrophobic surfaces, the authors are not aware of [...]