Patent ID: 10421072

Abstract:
Provided herein are methods and materials for the manufacture and use of wettability tracks on various substrates for rapid fluid transport and drainage, even in a condensing environment. The degree of wettability of the materials' surfaces range from superhydrophobic to superhydrophilic. The method centers on the formation of a dispersion of titanium dioxide and a fluoroacrylic co-polymer in an alcohol and water solution. The dispersion may then be deposited onto a surface to form a coating, which is then dried to evaporate the alcohol. The dried coating is exposed to radiation to produce a wedge-shaped track. The coating is exposed to the radiation through a photomask to produce the track. The radiation may be high energy, such as UV radiation. The radiation may be selectively exposed to designated areas on the coating. The hydrophilic wedge-shaped track may have a wedge angle of from 0 degrees to 45 degrees.