Surfaces and interfaces – Page 6
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NewsOpening the gated membrane floodgates
A layer of liquid creates switchable, anti-fouling membranes for water purification, biofuel processing and lab-on-chip applications
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NewsBetter windows with aerogels
Researchers have developed ways of making improved, cheaper transparent silica aerogel composites that could revolutionise windows
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CareersMarine paint innovation
Nina Notman visits the AkzoNobel site in Gateshead and meets the scientists designing the next generation of environmentally-friendly marine paints
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ResearchSlippery slope to harvesting water from air
Surface draws inspiration from a beetle, cactus and carnivorous plant to capture condensation 10 times better than state-of-the-art materials
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ResearchFast skating forces ice to feel the heat
Researcher argues your skating speed will dictate the slipperiness of ice
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ResearchSuper-repellent coating ready in seconds
Non-stick polymer coating is simple to apply and repels oil, water and alcohol
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ResearchTrampolining droplets raise hopes for ice-shedding surfaces
Mystery of bouncing droplets that apparently defy the laws of physics unravelled
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ResearchGecko-inspired adhesives for microfluidics
Technical innovation in reversible bonding allows for strong and affordable devices
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ResearchGraphene-wrapped diamond ball bearings cut friction to virtually nothing
Discovery could help save energy and money, but still needs to overcome limitations in humid conditions
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ResearchFish and flowers inspire diving goggle material
Transparent surfaces for repelling oil underwater made from silica
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Research
Mystery of coloured water droplets that chase and repel each other solved
Discovery could herald sprays that hoover up dirt and keep solar panels clean
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Research
Tough self-cleaning coating sticks it to stains
Superhydrophobic ‘paint’ can be sprayed or dip-coated onto cotton, glass and metal and survives sandpaper abrasion
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ResearchCatching water with imitation beetle bumps
Inkjet printing crafts a superhydrophobic surface that mimics the fog harvesting ability of the Namib Desert beetle
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FeatureBetter cleaning through chemistry
Chemistry World’s competition winner, Tessa Fiorini, investigates the complexities and chemistries behind seemingly simple products
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PodcastTributyltin
Helen Scales investigates tributyltin, banned from use as anti-fouling paint for causing ‘imposex’ in marine life
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ResearchDiamond set to sparkle for nanoelectronics
Straightforward etching of sub-100nm structures onto diamond overcomes problems with defects
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News
Controlling vibrating droplets
Texture ratchets can direct droplet motion and could simplify labs-on-a-chip
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BusinessMapping the reactivity of single nanocatalysts
The catalytic behaviour of gold nanorods varies across their surface in unexpected ways