Metamorphic Superomniphobic Surfaces

Superomniphobic surfaces are extremely repellent to virtually all liquids. By combining superomniphobicity and shape memory effect, metamorphic superomniphobic (MorphS) surfaces that transform their morphology in response to heat are developed. Utilizing the MorphS surfaces, the distinctly different wetting transitions of liquids with different surface tensions are demonstrated and the underlying physics is elucidated. Both ex situ and in situ wetting transitions on the MorphS surfaces are solely due to transformations in morphology of the surface texture. It is envisioned that the robust MorphS surfaces with reversible wetting transition will have a wide range of applications including rewritable liquid patterns, controlled drug release systems, lab‐on‐a‐chip devices, and biosensors.     

Nanoengineering of Particle Surfaces

The creation of core–shell particles is attracting a great deal of interest because of the diverse applicability of these colloidal particles; e.g., as building blocks for photonic crystals, in multi‐enzyme biocatalysis, and in drug delivery. This review presents the state‐of‐the‐art in strategies for engineering particle surfaces, such as the layer‐by‐layer deposition process (see Figure), which allows fine control over shell thickness and composition.     

Scattering from Gamma-distributed Surfaces

Abstract

We present a theoretical and experimental study of the scattering of light from diffusers with gamma-distributed surface height profiles. The theory is developed using a thin-phase screen model: it is shown that, following a steepest-descent method, the mean scattered intensity as a function of the scattering angle follows a modified Bessel K-function. The theory is compared with experimental data in the two extreme cases of the gamma distribution, namely the negative exponential and Gaussian cases. The surfaces used were made by exposing photoresist-coated plates with laser speckle patterns. For the case of a negative-exponential surface it is shown that it is not possible, in practice at least, to extinguish the specular component.     

Adaptable and Reprogrammable Surfaces

Establishing control over chemical reactions on interfaces is a key challenge in contemporary surface and materials science, in particular when introducing well‐defined functionalities in a reversible fashion. Reprogrammable, adaptable and functional interfaces require sophisticated chemistries to precisely equip them with specific functionalities having tailored properties. In the last decade, reversible chemistries—both covalent and noncovalent—have paved the way to precision functionalize 2 or 3D structures that provide both spatial and temporal control. A critical literature assessment reveals that methodologies for writing and erasing substrates exist, yet are still far from reaching their full potential. It is thus critical to assess the current status and to identify avenues to overcome the existing limitations. Herein, the current state‐of‐the‐art in the field of reversible chemistry on surfaces is surveyed, while concomitantly identifying the challenges—not only synthetic but also in current surface characterization methods. The potential within reversible chemistry on surfaces to function as true writeable memories devices is identified, and the latest developments in readout technologies are discussed. Finally, we explore how spatial and temporal control over reversible, light‐induced chemistries has the potential to drive the future of functional interface design, especially when combined with powerful laser lithographic applications.     

Radiometry of Rough Surfaces

This paper discusses the radiometric properties of perfectly conductive, slightly rough random surfaces. The Kirchhoff approximation, so far used in this kind of study, is analysed. In particular, its inability to construct models of lambertian rough surfaces is pointed out. The small perturbation method, recently put forward, allows the scope and limitations of this approximation to be established. This method also yields exact expressions for the radiant intensity, for either polarized or unpolarized incident radiation and allows the construction of surfaces which produce a lambertian distribution of intensity.     

Surfaces that resist bioadhesion

The search for surfaces that resist bioadhesion has continued with the pursuit of a number of avenues. A large part of the studies has investigated PEG coatings. Nevertheless, there is still controversy about what exactly the properties and modes of action of an ‘ideal’ PEG coating should be. While some studies have reported no irreversible protein adsorption, other, very similar coatings appear less able to resist bioadhesion. Of great interest are results showing that PEG surfaces with very short chains are capable of rejecting proteins. As it is very difficult to obtain direct information about the microstructure of the coatings, studies typically employ plausible models to interpret observations. New analytical techniques and the direct measurement of interfacial forces between proteins and surfaces open up the possibility of improved, guided design and feedback in the optimization of surfaces intended to resist bioadhesion.