Sticky Tape to Hold Water

The new discoveries in the field of nano technology never fail to impress. Here’s what the scientists at University of Sydney have come up with – a material that acts like a kind of sticky tape that can hold water droplets even when the surface is upturned.

The material has what have been called “raspberry particles” due to their appearance. It is these particles that hold on to the tiny water droplets on the surface of the material. This is similar to some rose petal surfaces which also have a similar property and don’t let go of dew drops.

Dr Andrew Telford from the University’s School of Chemistry who led the research says that the ability to immobilize very small droplets on a surface is a significant achievement. Their team is the first which has been able to allow for the preparation of these raspberry particles on an industrial scale.

Needless to say the concept can have many exciting commercial applications including reduction of condensation in aircraft cabins and making certain kinds of medical testing possible. Not to mention using it on quick dry walls and roofs to keep the structure cool. The possibilities for future science projects using this material are potentially endless.