New film that can collect moisture

In general, when the polymer material is in contact with water, the display performance characteristics are not hydrophilic or hydrophobic, and have exclusive properties. A newly developed coated film material with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties was obtained from a research team of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

According to Michael Rubner of MIT, the coating material applied on the film substrate is filled with hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers, nano-sized glass fiber particles, and perfluorinated fine particles in order. The process is easy to operate and the entire coating is obtained from an aqueous solution, and now has the ability to achieve a commercial scale of promotion. Previously, several research institutions had engaged in the same research work. They inspired the formation of water droplets on the surface of the lotus leaf, and the water droplets became self-cleaning when rolling down, and they succeeded in developing several types of lotus leaf-like properties. material. When AnderwParker of Oxford Company entered the desert of Namibia, he discovered that the beetle had the ability to draw water from the fog, and developed another material similar to the beetle wing.

Rubner said that MIT has developed a process that can process materials that mimic the surface of the lotus leaf and the beetle wings. Applications include: Water collectors, open-air liquid micro-flow devices, and liquid medicine infusion devices that are suitable for water scarcity or water pollution. The material production technology of this patent can be transferred and it is looking forward to the intentional partners to jointly develop commercialized products.

If the beetles can absorb moisture in the air in the dry area, the ultra-hydrophilic region contained in this unnamed film material can absorb moisture and accumulate on the surface of the film until the drop of water drops. The water is then directed through the superhydrophobic zone on the membrane to the water collection conduit. This function is of great application significance for water-deficient areas. (Huang Zexiong compiled)

Reprinted from: Foreign Plastics