Development of superhydrophobic surfaces for sanitation solutions The superhydrophobic material will repel wastes and collect clean water with virtually no external energy needed.
Recently, we invented a technique in my laboratory that uses lasers to transform a regular material surface super-hydrophilic. Compared to other hydrophilic materials, the hydrophilicity we created is shockingly strong. In a dramatic demonstration, we showed that a regular piece of metal or glass, after treated by our process, exhibits such a strong hydrophilic effect that liquids, once touch the bottom of a vertically-standing treated surface, will defy the gravity and sprint uphill at an unprecedented velocity (several centimeters per second). This invention and the related applications have been extensively documented in scientific literature and also broadly covered by the news media. Based on the superhydrophilic technique pioneered in my lab, we developed the counterpart technique of superhydrophobicity under this Gate’s project. A superhydrophobic material will repel wastes and collect clean water with virtually no external energy needed. This technology can potentially bring a leap forward in sanitation technology.
Mission
to develop a superhydrophobic material that will repel wastes and collect clean water with virtually no external energy needed.Answer questions about the project
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Product design and engineeringGlobalToilets or urinals (user interface)Fundamental research and engineeringBill & Melinda Gates FoundationUniversity, education or research institution
Related Countries
United States
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