This library entry contains background documents for a grant that Chunlei Guo is leading and which is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Further information and a discussion is available on the SuSanA discussion Forum, see link below. Short description of the project: Recently, we invented a technique in my laboratory that uses lasers to transform a regular material surface super-hydrophilic. Compared to other hydrophilic materials, the hydrophilicity we created is shockingly strong. In a dramatic demonstration, we showed that a regular piece of metal or glass, after treated by our process, exhibits such a strong hydrophilic effect that liquids, once touch the bottom of a vertically-standing treated surface, will defy the gravity and sprint uphill at an unprecedented velocity (several centimeters per second). This invention and the related applications have been thoroughly documented in scientific journals and also extensively covered by the news media. Based on the superhydrophilic technique pioneered in this lab, we have developed the counterpart technique of superhydrophobicity under this Gate’s project. A superhydrophobic material will repel wastes and collect clean water with virtually no external energy needed. This technology can potentially bring a leap forward in sanitation technology. Goal(s): The goal of this project is to develop a superhydrophobic material that will repel wastes and collect clean water with virtually no external energy needed. Objectives: to develop a superhydrophobic material that will repel wastes and collect clean water with virtually no external energy needed. Research or implementation partners: none Start and end date: Nov. 2012 till 30 April 2013 +++++++++++ Documents available for download below: 1 - A revolutionary sanitation technology with superhydrophobic materials (Scientific Report, Rochester, 2013)

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Guo, C. (2013). A revolutionary sanitation technology with superhydrophobic materials Various documents on results from research grant University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA

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Fundamental research and engineeringEnglish

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 Further information on discussion forum

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