All of the above, says Chunlei Guo, professor of optics and physics, whose lab describes the structure in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces.
The researchers found, however, that after being immersed in water for long periods of time, the surfaces may start to lose their hydrophobic properties.
Enter the spiders and fire ants, which can survive long periods under or on the surface of water.
The superhydrophobic surfaces will keep water from entering the compartment even when the structure is forced to submerge in water.
Superhydrophobic metallic structure is weighed down to keep it submerged in water in the Guo lab.
The superhydrophobic structure remains afloat even after significant structural damage—punctured with six 3-millimeter diameter holes and one 6-millimeter hole. »
