Superhydrophobic Coatings and Coatings that Harvest Energy

Challenges around sustainability, energy-efficiency, robustness, etc. hinder the practical use of superhydrophobic surfaces and liquid-repellent coatings in general. Here we will present new insights from interfacial nanoengineering alongside their promise to address the challenges in healthcare and the net zero aspirations in infrastructure resilience, built environment and transport sectors. For example, performance of emergent coatings potentially replacing poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – which cause major harm to ecological and human health – will be presented. Additionally, the ability of these coatings to enable mechanical energy harvesting will also presented as a solution for powering sensors in healthcare applications.