Cicada-Inspired Self-Cleaning Superhydrophobic Surfaces

Abstract

Water-based heat transfer surfaces in HVAC&R (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration) systems have biofouling or microbial growth which might not only impose adverse effects to public health but also deteriorate the heat transfer performance of surfaces. In nature, a living creature is surviving while being exposed to formidable condition such as bacteria and fungi. Cicada wing has known to have multi-functional wings exhibiting nonwetting, and anti-microbial due to nanoscale pillars and biochemicals to achieve non-wetting characteristics. We conducted experiments on cicada wings and cicada-inspired engineered superhydrophobic samples to show that droplets jumping from superhydrophobic wings could carry away individual particles (~100 µm) or cluster of particles. This study was investigated on self-cleaning mechanism using jumping droplet condensation and elucidate further antifouling characteristics of non-wetting heat transfer surfaces.