Embodiments, described herein relate generally to devices, systems, apparatus, and methods for producing lubricious surfaces that increase the ease of communication of viscous liquids across the same. The apparatus can include a container having an inner surface and a lubricating liquid disposed on a surface, the lubricating liquid including a surfactant. In some embodiments, a sprayer hub can rotate about a center axis and deliver the lubricating liquid to the inner surface. In some embodiments, a contact liquid can fill at least a portion of the container. In some embodiments, the surfactant can be an amphiphilic molecule that is substantially immiscible with the lubricating liquid and at least partially miscible with the contact liquid. In some embodiments, the surfactant can form a barrier at an interface between the lubricating liquid and the contact liquid.

A defouling device for mechanically disrupting fouling material for removal from a pipe or other a tubular member. The defouling device has inflatable portions capable of expanding to mechanically disrupt fouling material within a pipe. The defouling device may be attached to an inner luminal surface of the pipe or formed with the pipe. The defouling device expands circumferentially and radially to mechanically disrupt fouling material. The defouling device may also controllably expand longitudinally to mechanically disrupt fouling material and peristaltically pump fouling material through and out of the pipe.

A defouling device for mechanically disrupting fouling material for removal from a pipe or other a tubular member. The defouling device has inflatable portions capable of expanding to mechanically disrupt fouling material within a pipe. The defouling device may be attached to an inner luminal surface of the pipe or formed with the pipe. The defouling device expands circumferentially and radially to mechanically disrupt fouling material. The defouling device may also controllably expand longitudinally to mechanically disrupt fouling material and peristaltically pump fouling material through and out of the pipe.

The present disclosure provides an apparatus for disinfecting and cleaning an item intended to be worn multiple times, the apparatus comprising a chamber having an inner volume sufficient to accommodate the item intended to be worn multiple times and an ultraviolet (UV) light source disposed to shine UV light onto a surface of the item configured for placement against skin of a user.

Provided herein is a hierarchical superhydrophobic surface comprising an array of first geometrical features disposed on a substrate comprising a first material, and an array of second geometrical features disposed on the first features to form a hierarchical structure and a terminal level disposed on the second features, wherein the terminal level comprises a second material, the second material being different from the first material. The second material has a hydrophilicity different from the hydrophilicity of at least one of 1) the hydrophilicity of the second material and 2) hydrophilicity induced by the hierarchical structure. The present disclosure further methods of preparing hierarchical superhydrophobic surfaces and medical devices comprising the hierarchical superhydrophobic surfaces.

Provided herein is a hierarchical superhydrophobic surface comprising an array of first geometrical features disposed on a substrate comprising a first material, and an array of second geometrical features disposed on the first features to form a hierarchical structure and a terminal level disposed on the second features, wherein the terminal level comprises a second material, the second material being different from the first material. The second material has a hydrophilicity different from the hydrophilicity of at least one of 1) the hydrophilicity of the second material and 2) hydrophilicity induced by the hierarchical structure. The present disclosure further methods of preparing hierarchical superhydrophobic surfaces and medical devices comprising the hierarchical superhydrophobic surfaces.

An antimicrobial protective film that can be applied to a surface such as a screen of a smartphone or computing device. The user is able to view items displayed on the screen and to interact with the screen via touch or the like. The protective film includes a base layer or film upon which a second layer is formed, and this second layer includes numerous structures, e.g., micro or nano structures. The structures have a geometry that is unfriendly for viruses and bacteria. The structures are embedded with antimicrobial and/or antiviral agents that migrate out of the structures and kill or at least detrimentally affect the viruses or bacteria received within the second layer. This effect is combined with the fact that the structures are made with geometries particularly devastating to microbes during elongation and contraction of the structures with the thermal-based expansion and contraction of the underlying base layer.

An antimicrobial protective film that can be applied to a surface such as a screen of a smartphone or computing device. The user is able to view items displayed on the screen and to interact with the screen via touch or the like. The protective film includes a base layer or film upon which a second layer is formed, and this second layer includes numerous structures, e.g., micro or nano structures. The structures have a geometry that is unfriendly for viruses and bacteria. The structures are embedded with antimicrobial and/or antiviral agents that migrate out of the structures and kill or at least detrimentally affect the viruses or bacteria received within the second layer. This effect is combined with the fact that the structures are made with geometries particularly devastating to microbes during elongation and contraction of the structures with the thermal-based expansion and contraction of the underlying base layer.

Presented is a structure having super-hydrophobic characteristics comprising a substrate having a hierarchical nano-surface featuring asperities that are tunable and may be arranged or engineered for specific wear, antimicrobial or dust repellant aspects wherein the asperities may be pillared or spiked shaped. Included also are possible methods of production for such structures including generation through the application of area electro-shear-vibratory-thermal plasma.

Presented is a structure having super-hydrophobic characteristics comprising a substrate having a hierarchical nano-surface featuring asperities that are tunable and may be arranged or engineered for specific wear, antimicrobial or dust repellant aspects wherein the asperities may be pillared or spiked shaped. Included also are possible methods of production for such structures including generation through the application of area electro-shear-vibratory-thermal plasma.