Superhydrophobic Substrate Pseudo-Random Protrusions Durability Transparency

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing superhydrophobic substrates struggle to balance durability and transparency, often compromising on one aspect while trying to achieve the other, and lack control over substrate surface characteristics and optical properties.

Innovation Solution

A superhydrophobic substrate with pseudo-randomly distributed protrusions on its surface, where the average interval between protrusions is greater than the wavelength of visible light, is manufactured using a photomask with a pseudo-random distribution design, allowing for controlled optical characteristics and enhanced durability and transparency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the interval between convex portions in a concave-convex pattern is made greater than the wavelength of visible light, then durability is improved, but transparency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidtransparency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating regions with different protrusion intervals: a first region with intervals greater than the visible light wavelength (for durability) and a second region with intervals smaller than the wavelength (for transparency). This allows different areas of the substrate to have optimized properties for their specific functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The substrate surface is segmented into multiple regions with different concave-convex patterns. The first region uses one pattern configuration while the second region uses another, allowing the system to simultaneously achieve durability and transparency through spatial division of functional zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Illumination intensity

If the interval between convex portions in a concave-convex pattern is made smaller than the wavelength of visible light, then transparency is improved, but durability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetransparencyVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating regions with different protrusion intervals: a first region with intervals greater than the visible light wavelength (for durability) and a second region with intervals smaller than the wavelength (for transparency). This allows different areas of the substrate to have optimized properties for their specific functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The substrate surface is segmented into multiple regions with different concave-convex patterns. The first region uses one pattern configuration while the second region uses another, allowing the system to simultaneously achieve durability and transparency through spatial division of functional zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If existing manufacturing methods (nanoparticle distribution, photolithography, electrospraying) are used, then a concave-convex pattern can be formed, but control over substrate surface characteristics and optical properties deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepattern formationVSAvoidcontrol over surface characteristics and optical properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-designing specific concave-convex patterns with controlled protrusion intervals before forming the superhydrophobic layer. The patterns are carefully engineered with intervals greater than or smaller than visible light wavelengths to predetermined positions, ensuring precise control over both surface characteristics and optical properties before the hydrophobic coating is applied.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach results in a superhydrophobic substrate with improved durability, transparency, and controlled optical properties, achieving a water contact angle of 140 degrees or greater while maintaining low haze values, suitable for applications like vehicle glass and display devices.

Implementation Method 1

forming a plurality of protrusions 20 on a substrate surface by using the photomask fabricated in a) the fabricating of the photomask

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotolithography: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

forming an air gap in an interface between a substrate and water through a concave-convex pattern formed in a substrate surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 3

an average interval between the convex portions in the concave-convex pattern formed in a superhydrophobic substrate surface is greater than an interval between light beam wave peaks of light within the visible spectrum

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentUS9376341B2Superhydrophobic substrate and method of manufacturing the same

Publication Date: 2016.06.28 LG CHEM LTD

AI summary

There is provided a superhydrophobic substrate comprising a plurality of protrusions having a pseudo random distribution on one surface thereof, an average interval between respective protrusions among the plurality of protrusions being greater than an interval between light beam wave peaks of light within the visible spectrum, allowing the substrate to have durability and transparency secured therein.