Super-hydrophobic and super-wetting surfaces: Analytical potential?

Abstract

Roughening or texturing surfaces provides super-liquid repellent or film forming properties without alteration of the surface chemistry. These surfaces are easy to produce, can amplify wetting properties and can be either "sticky" or "slippy" to liquids. Their use as water-repellent coatings is established, but their potential for use in microfluidics and sensor applications remains largely unfulfilled. This article explains several key ideas and suggests why there may be potential for analytical applications.