CHAPTER 7: Patterned Superhydrophobic Surfaces

Although superhydrophobic surfaces may seem unusual, they are often present in nature, from wax-coated plant leaves to the feathers of a bird. Uniform superhydrophobic surfaces are very useful for applications such as water repellency, self-cleaning, anti-fouling, anti-fogging, and anti-icing. However, creating surfaces with patterns of extreme differences in wettability leads to new functionalities and possibilities for a wide variety of applications. In this chapter, we present a range of methods available to combine different states of wettability on the same surface in precise micropatterns. We also discuss novel applications of the patterned surfaces that have been developed and continue to be explored, including surface tension-confined microfluidic devices, miniaturized cell and chemical screening platforms, patterned slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces, and the collection and transport of droplets from water vapour. There are still great opportunities for the further development of patterned superhydrophobic surfaces for other interesting applications, especially those inspired by processes occurring in nature.