A 3D hybrid surface combining hydrophobic nanowires and hydrophilic microchannels efficiently removes condensate, preventing flooding and maintaining high heat transfer even at high subcooling.

On the hydrophobic (literally 'water hating') part of the surface, the force is roughly ten times greater than that needed when the bacterial cell adheres to the hydrophilic ('water loving') region.

We show here that these large droplets form by virtue of the insect's bumpy surface, which consists of alternating hydrophobic, wax-coated and hydrophilic, non-waxy regions.

The new surface integrates short hydrophobic nanowires and hydrophilic microchannels in a structured pattern. This combination helps guide water droplets efficiently off the surface, preventing ...