Patent ID: 11857998
Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA PATENT FOUNDATION
Field: Basic materials chemistry (Chemistry)
Classification: CPC B  C | IPC B  C

Claim 0:
1. Method of applying a coating to a substrate creating a hydrophobic or superhydrophobic surface, said method comprising:
applying a polymer material or an adhesive material to said substrate creating a polymer coating layer having a top surface;
initially curing said applied coating layer for a specified amount of time allowing said coating layer to partially cure;
applying a solution, at a specified velocity, containing hydrophobic particles or superhydrophobic particles on top of said partially cured coating layer, wherein individual said hydrophobic particles or superhydrophobic particles are:
a) partially embedded into said partially cured coating layer while also being partially exposed above said top surface of said partially cured coating layer to form an outer layer,
b) fixedly disposed in contact with said top surface of said partially cured coating layer without being embedded within said partially cured coating layer to form said outer layer,
c) fixedly disposed in contact with said outer layers of ‘a’ and ‘b’ without being in contact with said partially cured coating layer to form said outer layer, and
d) entirely embedded in said partially cured coating layer apart from said outer layer; and

subsequently curing said substrate, said partially cured coating layer, and said outer layer, at a specified temperature for a specified period of time, wherein said outer layer exhibits hydrophobic properties or superhydrophobic properties.