Grafted polymer surfaces for dropwise condensation, and associated methods of use and manufacture

US9498934B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology · US

Inventors

• Adam T. Paxson · Cambridge, US
• Jose L. Yagüe · Somerville, US
• Kripa K. Varanasi · Lexington, US
• Karen K. Gleason · Cambridge, US
• Andong Liu · Cambridge, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 12, 2015
• Grant date: Nov 22, 2016
• Expiry date: Feb 12, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T428/3154
• WIPO field: Surface technology, coating
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Presented herein are articles and methods featuring substrates with thin, uniform polymeric films grafted (e.g., covalently bonded) thereupon. The resulting coating provides significant reductions in thermal resistance, drop shedding size, and degradation rate during dropwise condensation of steam compared to existing coatings. Surfaces that promote dropwise shedding of low-surface tension condensates, such as liquid hydrocarbons, are also demonstrated herein.