surfaces – TechConnect Briefs

Anisotropic Wetting Behaviour of Modified 3D Printed Micro-Structured Polymer Surfaces for Water Harvesting

Cook M.J., Johnston J.H., Leveneur J., Victoria University of Wellington, NZ

We present an attractive new technology for the design and fabrication of micro-structured water harvesting surfaces through a unique combination of 3D printing and hydrophilic/hydrophobic surface modification. For many years, researchers have examined the wetting [...]

Nanoscale hydrophobic coatings for the separation of liquid mixtures

Truman P., Frenzel R., Longari N., Uhlmann P., Stamm M., Institute of Polymer Research, DE

Organofunctional nanoscale silane coatings are widely used to modify surface chemistry. Such coatings have many applications in micro- and nanofluidics because liquid motion on these scales is strongly influenced by capillary or wall effects. In [...]

The Austrian NANO Initiative: Small Country with Strong Expertise

Haas M., Glenck E., Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), AT

The Austrian NANO Initiative is the multi-annual public funding programme for nanoscale sciences and nanotechnology. It coordinates different action lines at national and regional levels. The Austrian Research and Promotion Agency (FFG) runs the programme [...]

Mimicking Immune Processes by Positioning Antibodies on Surfaces — A Nanoengineering Approach

Liu G-y., Liu M., Amro N., Komanicky V., Liu G-y., Liu M., University of California Davis, US

Antibody-antigen interaction is one of the most fundamental biospecific interactions. While the antibody-antigen monovalent and divalent bindings are relatively well-known in solution phase, controlling the valency on surfaces has not been attempted. Using scanning probe [...]

Chemically Functionalized Clay Epoxy Nanocomposites for Aerospace Applications

Balakrishnan S., Raghavan D., Howard University, US

Reinforcement of polymeric resin with nanoclay platelets has resulted in lightweight materials with enhanced mechanical and thermal properties. The selection of clay as reinforcing material is extremely appealing because of cost, high thermal inertness, and [...]

Next Generation Aerospace Composites Through Nanotechnology

Yebassa D., Balakrishnan S., Raghavan D., Howard University, US

Polymeric nanocomposites are a relatively new class of materials obtained by dispersing inorganic layered silicates in polymer matrix. Generally well-dispersed exfoliated morphology of clay platelets in nanocomposite is sought with the expectation that this would [...]

Optimizing Processing Conditions to Influence the Morphology of Nanocomposite

Raghavan D., Balakrishnan S., Gebrekristios Y., Howard University, US

In recent years, the area of nanocomposites has received considerable attention with the expectation that nanotechnology can lead to lighter, better materials for engineering applications. For example, the attractiveness of polymer-clay nanocomposites resides in the [...]

Realistic Modeling of Complex Surface Processes

Rohl A.L., Wright K., Gale J.D., Curtin University, AU

Computer simulation is an essential tool in nanoscale science as it yields atomic models that allow interpretation of experiment data, while also having a predictive capability. Crucially, computer simulations must be able to describe all [...]

Nanostructuring of Surfaces using Anodic Alumina Masks – Methods, materials and properties

Sawitowski T., Beyer N., Wagener S., Schulz F., AlCove Surfaces GmbH, DE

Since the discovery that cleanability is not necessarily linked to smoothness or gloss of surfaces it is interesting to take a closer look at methods allowing surfaces to be structured on a micrometer and nanometer [...]