Patent ID: 9433907
Filing Date: 2016-09-06
CPC Classification: B01F,B01J,B01L,B41J,B81B,B82Y,G01N

Claim Text:
1. An apparatus, comprising: a substrate having a surface with a plurality of nanostructures or microstructures thereon, said plurality of nanostructures or microstructures being able to support a droplet of liquid disposed on tops thereof wherein: at least a portion of said nanostructures or microstructures has an increased spatial density along a predetermined direction on said surface, such that a leading edge of said droplet that is closer to said increased spatial density has a lower contact angle than a trailing edge of said droplet that is farther away from said increased spatial density, and said predetermined direction leads to a location on said substrate having a highest spatial density of said nanostructures or microstructures.