A method of providing a meniscus reducing member for use in a vessel for containing an aqueous liquid according to claim 4, the method comprising: a) providing a physical surface feature having annular first and second inner surfaces that are parallel to and spaced apart from each other and at least a third surface extending between the first and second inner surfaces, the third surface intersecting both the first and second inner surfaces, the physical surface feature configured to physically alter a receding contact angle between a liquid and the physical surface feature , wherein the first inner surface is positioned above the second inner surface and a step edge is defined by the intersection of the second inner surface and the third surface , and preferably wherein the second inner surface is laterally inwardly offset from the first inner surface , and optionally wherein the third surface is • perpendicular to both the first and second inner surfaces or • inclined at an oblique angle to both the first and second inner surfaces; and b) coating the first inner surface and the third surface with a surface coating material, to modify the receding contact angle between the liquid and the first inner surface ( and third surface of the physical surface feature that is coated with the coating material, and wherein the coating material comprises at least one of a siloxane based coating, a fluoropolymer agent, a wax, a wax-like saturated fatty acid, a non wax-like saturated or unsaturated fatty acid, a superhydrophobic particle suspension coating, or a nano-particle based coating. a) providing a physical surface feature having annular first and second inner surfaces that are parallel to and spaced apart from each other and at least a third surface extending between the first and second inner surfaces, the third surface intersecting both the first and second inner surfaces, the physical surface feature configured to physically alter a receding contact angle between a liquid and the physical surface feature , wherein the first inner surface is positioned above the second inner surface and a step edge is defined by the intersection of the second inner surface and the third surface , and preferably wherein the second inner surface is laterally inwardly offset from the first inner surface , and optionally wherein the third surface is • perpendicular to both the first and second inner surfaces or • inclined at an oblique angle to both the first and second inner surfaces; and • perpendicular to both the first and second inner surfaces or • inclined at an oblique angle to both the first and second inner surfaces; and b) coating the first inner surface and the third surface with a surface coating material, to modify the receding contact angle between the liquid and the first inner surface ( and third surface of the physical surface feature that is coated with the coating material, and wherein the coating material comprises at least one of a siloxane based coating, a fluoropolymer agent, a wax, a wax-like saturated fatty acid, a non wax-like saturated or unsaturated fatty acid, a superhydrophobic particle suspension coating, or a nano-particle based coating. <EOS>