Apparatus with a liquid-impregnated surface to facilitate material conveyance

US9625075B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology · US

Inventors

• J. David Smith · Arlington, US
• Rajeev Dhiman · Pleasanton, US
• Adam T. Paxson · Cambridge, US
• Christopher J. Love · Atlantis, US
• Brian R. Solomon · Rockville, US
• Kripa K. Varanasi · Lexington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 24, 2013
• Grant date: Apr 18, 2017
• Expiry date: Aug 1, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16L58/04
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Described herein are conduits for conveying fluids and/or solids, the conduits having an interior surface that provide a high-slip boundary condition, thereby facilitating the flow of material therethrough. In some embodiments, the conduit has an interior surface with an impregnating liquid and a plurality of micro-scale and/or nano-scale solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating liquid therebetween. The impregnating liquid fills spaces between the solid features, the interior surface stably contains the impregnating liquid between the solid features, and the impregnating liquid is substantially held in place between the plurality of solid features regardless of orientation of the interior surface and regardless of flow, passage, or removal of fluids and/or solids through, into, or out of the conduit.