University of ZurichInstitute of Physical Chemistry (Group of Prof. Dr. Stefan Seeger)
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Water Repellent Surfaces

The wettability of a solid surface is a very important property. Water repellent surfaces can protect material from rotting, corroding, pollution or growth of microorganisms on it. In many areas of daily life water repellency would be a gread advantage, e.g. for window glasses or textiles. The water repellent effect of a surface depends on the chemical composition of the material and on the roughness of the surface. We developed a novel method to render surfaces of glass, polymers, textiles or metals water repellent. Water drips off very easily and the surface remains dry. The method can be applicated to objects with any shape.

Many newspapers, online news-sites and blogs reported on our technology-invention in response to the publication in “Advanced Functional Materials”. More than 260 articles, interviews etc. in 19 different languages are available in the internet. The original article and a selection of other sites are listed below (German articles in italics):

Nach der Veröffentlichung unserer Forschungsresultate im Magazin „Advanced Functional Materials“ erschienen zahlreiche Berichte darüber in Print-Medien, Radio, Fernsehen und Internet. Mehr als 260 Artikel, Interviews etc. in 19 Sprachen sind im Internet zu finden. Der Originalartikel und eine Auswahl weiterer Internetseiten finden sich unter folgenden Links:

Original scientific article (Advanced Functiona l Materials):
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/121497094/abstract

Article found on NewScientist.com (posted 24 November 2008):
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16126-nanotech-clothing-fabric-never-gets-wet.html

Article found on BusinessWeek.com (posted 30 December 2008):
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_02/c4115scitech218282.htm?chan=magazine+channel_what%27s+next

Article found on Textile Network:
http://www.textile-network.de/content/textile%2Bnetwork/138/Business/30/76431_TN-09-05_008xe0309tn.html

„Die Welt“ (10. Dezember 2008):
http://www.welt.de/wissenschaft/innovationen/article2858474/Textilien-die-auch-unter-Wasser-trocken-bleiben.html

„Innovations Report“ (9. Dezember 2008):
http://www.innovations-report.de/html/berichte/materialwissenschaften/silikonschicht_macht_textilien_wasserdicht_124010.html

„P. M. Magazin“ (17. April 2009):
http://www.pm-magazin.de/de/wissensnews/wn_id1901.htm

Radio „DRS 1“ (4. Mai 2009):
http://www.drs.ch/www/de/drs/sendungen/espresso/de/drs/sendungen/espresso/de/drs/sendungen/espresso/2649.bt10080920.html

Deutschlandfunk (17. Juli 2009):
http://www.dradio.de/dlf/sendungen/forschak/1001153/

Berliner Morgenpost (10. Dezember 2008):
http://www.morgenpost.de/printarchiv/wissen/article995368/Erfindung_aus_Zuerich_Waesche_bleibt_unter_Wasser_trocken.html

Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger (10. Dezember 2008):
http://www.ksta.de/html/artikel/1228515325540.shtml

Frankfurter Rundschau (9. Dezember 2008):
http://www.fr-online.de/in_und_ausland/wissen_und_bildung/aktuell/1643179_Trockene-Waesche-unter-Wasser.html

Neue Zürcher Zeitung (9. Dezember 2008):
http://www.nzz.ch/nachrichten/international/wasserabweisend__1.1385503.html

Water droplet on water repellent surface
Water droplet on water repellent surface