Micro-structured Surface Trapped Liquid Phase Resists Wetting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing micro-structured surfaces lose superhydrophobic or superoleophobic properties at high pressure and temperature conditions, leading to unwanted wetting by liquids.
Innovation Solution
A micro-structured surface with trapped wetting liquid phase in pores, forming a closed or open-cell network, which maintains tailored wetting properties through a surface priming process, using materials like silicon or naturally porous substrates, and coatings such as fluoropolymer films, to resist wetting by undesired liquids across varying pressures and temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a micro-structured surface is used to achieve superhydrophobic or superoleophobic properties, then wetting resistance is improved, but the effect is lost at high pressure and temperature conditions
Solution Approach 1:
A liquid intermediate phase is introduced into the pores of the micro-structured surface. This liquid phase acts as a mediator between the solid substrate and the external multiphase fluid, providing stable wetting resistance that is insensitive to high pressure and temperature conditions. The liquid intermediate maintains the non-wetting properties by forming a stable interface with the undesired liquid phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and composition parameters of the surface by filling the porous structure with a specific liquid phase that has appropriate interfacial tension properties. This parameter change transforms the surface from a gas-trapping micro-structure to a liquid-filled structure that maintains wetting resistance under extreme conditions where gas-trapping structures fail.
2Reliability
If a liquid intermediate phase is trapped in the pores, then wetting resistance under high pressure and temperature is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes porous materials as the substrate structure, which naturally provides the necessary pore network for trapping the liquid intermediate phase. The porous structure is achieved through standard material fabrication techniques, making the overall system relatively simple despite the added functionality of the liquid intermediate.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The micro-structured surface effectively resists wetting by undesired liquids, maintaining customized wetting properties over a wide range of pressures and temperatures, reducing contamination and fouling, and extending the longevity of oleophobic and hydrophobic effects.
Implementation Method 1
Wetting is the contact between a liquid and a solid surface. Wetting behavior results from intermolecular interactions when a liquid droplet approaches and contacts the solid surface. The degree of wetting depends on surface tensions of the liquid-vapor interface and the solid-liquid interface such that the total energy is minimized.
Implementation Method 2
The degree of wetting depends on surface tensions of the liquid-vapor interface and the solid-liquid interface such that the total energy is minimized.
Implementation Method 3
the micro-pattern of the surface may become completely wetted by the liquid medium, as the gas that would normally be trapped within the micro-pattern dissolves in the highly pressurized liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A micro-structured surface for immersing in a multiphase fluid mixture comprises a substrate having pores and a wetting liquid phase trapped in the pores. The wetting liquid phase is immiscible with all the phases of the multiphase fluid mixture. Alternatively, the wetting liquid phase is miscible with one of the phase of the multiphase fluid mixture.