U of R Scientists Create Hydrophobic Metal That Magically Bounces Water Away — and Its Uses Will Amaze You

According to a January 20 Sploid article, the metal earns its water-repellent properties through nanostructures etched in its surface by lasers, rather than chemical coatings that have been traditionally used to waterproof surfaces. That means the metal’s waterproof surface will never wear off, unlike chemical waterproofing coatings.

“The structures created by our laser on the metals are intrinsically part of the material surface,” explains Chunlei Guo, professor of optics at the U of R. And these structures never wear away or lose their efficacy over time.

In explanatory videos that demonstrate the metal in action, its extreme hydrophobic properties are plain to see — water droplets literally bounce away from the surface, actively repelled by the metal’s pattern of micro and nanoscale structures.

This hydrophobic metal isn’t just for show, however. The U of R scientists say it could have some pretty revolutionary uses in our everyday lives.

Airplane surfaces made from this metal would be able to fly without water freezing the fuselage; cars would never rust; nonstick pans would never lose their nonstick properties; you’d never have to worry about getting your smartphone wet again.

The U of R scientists are also considering applying this metal to the creation of 100% efficient rainwater collection systems in developing countries that don’t have access to adequate sources of clean water, Sploid reports. It could also help create more effective, clean and healthy water latrines in areas that don’t see much rainfall.

And if this metal were to coat the outside surface of home foundations, homeowners would never have to worry about affording the costs of repairing foundational water damage, which can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to the real-world applications of this hydrophobic metal. And as the U of R continues its research into manufacturing this metal on a wider scale, it might not be long before you come into contact with this incredible technology in your own life.

[Photo courtesy of University of Rochester Newsroom.]