Super-slick Coatings: Data Driven Design to Application
Nature has many examples of non-wettable surfaces such as shark
skin and the lotus leaf. However, there are no natural examples of
universally non-wettable coatings that can glide both water and viscous
oil. This DMREF project is focused on the design of earth-abundant
photocatalysts for water splitting. Machine learning methods are being
used to rapidly and efficiently navigate the design space of mesoscale
textures and surface chemistry. In order to selectively perform reactions
other than water splitting, we have sought to design surfaces that are
non-wettable by water or other solvents and that allow for directed flow
profiles of reactants. While these coatings were initially designed to
facilitate selectivity in electrocatalytic transformations, it is clear that they
have great potential for the transportation and processing of oils and
viscous liquids. Through participation in the NSF I-corps program, team
Laminel was created. At the conclusion of the program, the team
received the “Cohort Effect” Award for excellence in fostering
connections, supporting teams, and leading by example. The team is
continuing to move forward through the path of commercialization with
support from large extractors and transporters of bitumen.