With considerable expertise in the design, synthesis and characterization of new polymers and nanoscale materials, Prof. Advincula has designed a series of lectures in order to share the latest developments in nanomaterials research in a variety of applications and fields.

The wetting of surfaces has an important role in its ability to repel dirt or maintain film cleanliness. The inability to form coatings that resist contact with water is advantageous. At times the same property can result in anti-ice properties or better, anti-corrosive qualities as well as anti-microbial properties. The evaluation is based on modifications of the Young's equation and wetting phenomena and can be measured by simple contact-angle measurement methods. However, having better control of roughness and surface energy (Cassie-Baxter approach) will result in a number of materials being viable compared to fluorinated or silicon-based materials.

This talk examines some of the fundamental aspects as well as methods of preparing superhydrophobic films and surfaces and recent examples of applications.