The present invention relates to a structure for preventing the adhesion of microorganisms, which is capable of preventing microorganisms from adhering to and growing on a surface of an object, and a method of manufacturing the same. The structure for preventing the adhesion of microorganisms includes: a nano-structure configured to include a plurality of protruding structures each having a sharp end and made of a resin composition; and a plurality of nano-metal particles configured to be distributed inside the nano-structure. A method of manufacturing a structure for preventing adhesion of microorganisms includes preparing a liquid resin; mixing the liquid resin with nano-metal particles; depositing the liquid resin on a substrate; pressing the liquid resin with a master template on which a pattern corresponding to a plurality of protruding structures is formed; and setting or curing the liquid resin.

In certain embodiments, the invention is directed to apparatus comprising a liquid-impregnated surface, said surface comprising an impregnating liquid and a matrix of solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating liquid therebetween or therewithin, and methods thereof. In some embodiments, one or both of the following holds: (i) 0<ϕ≤0.25, where ϕ is a representative fraction of the projected surface area of the liquid-impregnated surface corresponding to non-submerged solid at equilibrium; and (ii) S.sub.ow(a)<0, where S.sub.ow(a) is spreading coefficient, defined as γ.sub.wa−γ.sub.wo−γ.sub.oa, where γ is the interfacial tension between the two phases designated by subscripts w, a, and o, where w is water, a is air, and o is the impregnating liquid.

Provided are a method of producing a nano composite structure and a nano composite structure produced by using the same. The method comprises producing a substrate; placing a metal net structure above the substrate; and plasma treating the substrate above which the metal net structure is placed. The nano composite structure includes a substrate having a plurality of first protrusions constituting a nano pattern on its surface; and an inorganic particle disposed on an end of at least a portion of the first protrusions.

The present invention relates to a marine structure comprising an external surface (50), a load (2, 20, 21, 22, 25) comprising a light source, said load having a first load terminal (2a) and a second load terminal (2b) adapted to be powered by an AC power source (1), said AC power source (1) having a first AC terminal (1a) electrically connectable to the surface (50) and a second AC terminal (1b), a first electrode (3) electrically connected to the first load terminal (2a), and a dielectric layer (4). The first electrode (3) and the dielectric layer (4) are arranged to form, in combination with the surface (50), a capacitor (6) for capacitive transmission of electrical power between the first electrode (3) and the surface (50). The second AC terminal (1b) and the second load terminal (2b) are arranged to be electrically connected to an external electrically conductive element (10, 11) insulated from the surface (50). The first load terminal (2a) is electrically insulated from the second load terminal (2b).

The present invention relates to a device 3 for protecting an optical sensor 13 for an automotive vehicle that is intended to be attached to the optical sensor, characterized in that the device includes:—a transparent optical element 9 exhibiting rotational symmetry and being rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation, configured to be positioned upstream of the optical sensor 13 so that the axis of rotation of the optical element 9 is merged with the optical axis 15 of the optical sensor 13; and—an actuator 5 that is coupled to the optical element 9 so as to rotate the optical element 9 in order to allow soiling to be removed by a centrifugal effect.

The present invention relates to a device 3 for protecting an optical sensor 13 for an automotive vehicle that is intended to be attached to the optical sensor, characterized in that the device includes:—a transparent optical element 9 exhibiting rotational symmetry and being rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation, configured to be positioned upstream of the optical sensor 13 so that the axis of rotation of the optical element 9 is merged with the optical axis 15 of the optical sensor 13; and—an actuator 5 that is coupled to the optical element 9 so as to rotate the optical element 9 in order to allow soiling to be removed by a centrifugal effect.

A biosensor includes an array of metal nanorods formed on a substrate. An electropolymerized conductor is formed over tops of a portion of the nanorods to form a reservoir between the electropolymerized conductor and the substrate. The electropolymerized conductor includes pores that open and close responsively to electrical signals applied to the nanorods. A dispensing material is loaded in the reservoir to be dispersed in accordance with open pores.

A self-cleaning film system includes a substrate and an anti-reflection film disposed on the substrate. The anti-reflection film includes a first sheet formed from titanium dioxide, a second sheet formed from silicon dioxide and disposed on the first sheet, and a third sheet formed from titanium dioxide and disposed on the second sheet. The system includes a self-cleaning film disposed on the anti-reflection film and including a monolayer disposed on the third sheet and formed from a fluorinated material selected from the group consisting of fluorinated organic compounds, fluorinated inorganic compounds, and combinations thereof. The self-cleaning film includes a first plurality of regions disposed within the monolayer such that each of the first plurality of regions abuts and is surrounded by the fluorinated material and includes a photocatalytic material.

The present invention relates to a structure for preventing the adhesion of microorganisms, which is capable of preventing microorganisms from adhering to and growing on a surface of an object, and a method of manufacturing the same. The structure for preventing the adhesion of microorganisms includes: a nano-structure configured to include a plurality of protruding structures each having a sharp end, and made of a resin composition; and a plurality of nano-metal particles configured to be distributed inside the nano-structure. A method of manufacturing a structure for preventing adhesion of microorganisms includes preparing a liquid resin; mixing the liquid resin with nano-metal particles; depositing the liquid resin on a substrate; pressing the liquid resin with a master template on which a pattern corresponding to a plurality of protruding structures is formed; and setting or curing the liquid resin.

Films and articles are described comprising a microstructured surface having an array of peak structures and adjacent valleys. For improved cleanability, the valleys preferably have a maximum width ranging from 10 microns to 250 microns and the peak structures have a side wall angle greater than 10 degrees. The peak structures may comprise two or more facets such as in the case of a linear array of prisms or an array of cube-corners elements. The facets form continuous or semi-continuous surfaces in the same direction. The valleys typically lack intersecting walls. Also described are methods of making and methods of use. The microstructured surface of the article can be prepared by various microreplication techniques such as coating, injection molding, embossing, laser etching, extrusion, casting and curing a polymerizable resin; and bonding microstructured film to a surface or article with an adhesive.