IIT Guwahati researchers develops self-healing amphiphobic solid slippery coating

NEW DELHI: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have developed a self-healable coating that can withstand exposures to liquid surfaces and ultra-violet radiation for 15 days. The material has the capability to self-heal even during repetitive physical damages while retaining the slippery property.

The IIT Guwahati research team led by Uttam Manna, associate professor at the department of chemistry and centre for nanotechnology has developed the self-healable amphiphobic solid slippery coating on which liquid droplets will slide down. Liquid substances like water, organic liquids, solvents, edible oil, motor, engine and crude oils will slide down when in contact with the coating. The research team included research scholars Manideepa Dhar, Avijit Das, Dibyangana Parbat of IIT Guwahati, said a statement from the institute.

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According to a statement from IIT Guwahati, the coating is applicable on materials such as glass, aluminium foil, printed paper, plastic, and even on difficult surfaces such as inside of a glass bottle and curved surfaces.

The coating has applications in things such as bottles, as the coating will enable traceless dispense of a viscous food item such as honey with ease. The coating can also be used in mobile phones to protect the display when it comes in contact with liquids. The coating also has a self-cleaning ability, claims the institute .

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