Washington, December 25: University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists have developed a new type of non-stick material, which they claim has the ability to repel all kinds of liquids, including oils, solvents and detergents.

The researchers have named their innovation “nanonails”.

Dr. Tom N. Krupenkin, who is behind this creation, has revealed that the new material sheds liquids in the same manner as water gets turned off a duck’s back. All this happens just as an electrical switch is flipped, he adds.

The researcher also says that “nanonails” offers a wide-range of potential applications including contamination-resistant and self-cleaning surfaces, reduced-drag ships, and advanced electrical batteries.

This is so because they can repel all kinds of liquids, he says.

For years, scientists have been trying to develop surfaces that repel virtually any liquid. However, they have had little success with repelling common organic liquids such as oils, solvents and detergents.

Dr. Krupenkin claims that his team is the first to create a material that has all-purpose repellency properties.

The nails actually are submicroscopic silicon structures shaped like carpenter’s nails, which significantly increase a surface’s repellency.

However, the application of electricity increases the chances of the surface’s becoming highly wet, and allows liquid to be sucked between the nails.

In laboratory demonstrations, the researchers have shown that their electronic non-stick surface works effectively using virtually any liquid.

They say that their “nanonails” also show promise for enhancing chemical microreactions, decreasing flow resistance, and facilitating liquid movement for medical diagnostic applications such as lab-on-a-chip technology.

The study is scheduled for publication in the January 1 issue of ACS’ Langmuir, a bi-weekly publication. (ANI)