This invention relates to polymer-based partially-open, hollow reservoirs in the nano-size to micro-size range that encapsulate an additive, which can be released from the reservoirs using specific event stimuli such as reduction-oxidation and voltage change, or at will, using the same stimuli. This invention also relates to method preparing such reservoirs, and for releasing the additive. This invention further relates to matrix that comprises such reservoirs and the method of preparing such matrix. This invention also relates to applications, for example in corrosion inhibition, lubrication, and adhesion, that benefit from using such a controlled release of an additive.

According to one or more embodiments, an antifouling material may be produced by forming a nanostructured mold, where a liquid mold precursor is contacted with a textured surface of a nanostructured template, the liquid mold precursor is solidified to the nanostructured template, and the formed nanostructured mold is removed from the nanostructured template. The antifouling material may be formed by contacting a liquid precursor mixture with a textured surface of the nanostructured mold, solidifying the liquid precursor mixture onto the nanostructured mold, and removing the formed antifouling material from the nanostructured mold. The antifouling material may include a nanostructured surface and may further include a toxin.

A paint composition for forming energy saving self-cleaning coatings includes water, a binder composition, a powder catalyst composition, a first pigment composition, a second pigment composition, and a fluoropolymer-composition. The binder composition includes a first acrylic resin having an average particle size from about 0.2 to 1 micron and a glass transition temperature less than about 10° C. The powder catalyst composition includes anatase titanium dioxide with a surface area from about 50 to 500 m.sup.2/g. It should be appreciated that anatase provides catalyst activity that is useful for providing the self-cleaning properties of the present embodiment. The first pigment composition includes rutile titanium dioxide which typically has low or no catalytic activity while the second pigment composition is different than the first pigment composition. Characteristically, the fluoropolymer-containing composition includes polyvinylidene fluoride and a second acrylic resin.

The invention provides a marine antifouling composition comprising: (a) 1 to 50% by weight of a cylic volatile methylsiloxane selected from the group consisting of hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, decamethylcyclopenta-siloxane and dodeca-methylcyclohexasiloxane; (b) 1 to 20% of a surfactant selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene monostearate, steareth-40, octylphenoxy polyethoxyethanol, steareth-20, and a C.sub.11-C.sub.15 secondary alcohol ethoxylate; and (c) the balance water.

A method for the prevention of zooglea growth within an air conditioning system includes applying an antifouling coating to an interior of a condensate pipe of the air conditioning system, where the antifouling coating has a base layer of an algaecide, an intermediate layer of a hydrophobic polymer, and a top layer of a metallic powder. The method of applying the antifouling coating includes pouring the algaecide coating into the condensate pipe, spinning the condensate pipe, and drying the algaecide coating. The method also includes pouring the hydrophobic polymer into the condensate pipe, spinning the condensate pipe to apply the hydrophobic polymer over the algaecide coating, partially drying the hydrophobic polymer, and pouring the metallic powder into the condensate pipe. In addition, the method includes spinning the condensate pipe to apply the metallic powder over the hydrophobic polymer, and drying the hydrophobic polymer until the metallic powder is embedded.

Disclosed herein are methods for preventing biofilm formation on a surface. The present disclosure also relates to anti-biofilm forming agents, to methods of producing and using them, and to anti-fouling coatings produced therefrom.

An antiglare glass substrate includes a glass substrate having a first main surface and a second main surface that is opposite to the first main surface. The first main surface has undergone an antiglare treatment and a fluorine-containing organosilicon compound coating film as an antifouling film is laminated thereon. The first main surface partly includes a non-antiglare-treated portion that has not undergone the antiglare treatment. The non-antiglare-treated portion has a surface roughness Ra of less than 10 nm. A difference in height along a plate thickness direction of the glass substrate between the antiglare-treated portion that has undergone the antiglare treatment and the non-antiglare-treated portion is 10 μm or larger and 200 μm or less.

A method for the prevention of zooglea growth within an air conditioning system includes applying an antifouling coating to an interior of a condensate pipe of the air conditioning system, where the antifouling coating has a base layer of an algaecide, an intermediate layer of a hydrophobic polymer, and a top layer of a metallic powder. The method of applying the antifouling coating includes pouring the algaecide coating into the condensate pipe, spinning the condensate pipe, and drying the algaecide coating. The method also includes pouring the hydrophobic polymer into the condensate pipe, spinning the condensate pipe to apply the hydrophobic polymer over the algaecide coating, partially drying the hydrophobic polymer, and pouring the metallic powder into the condensate pipe. In addition, the method includes spinning the condensate pipe to apply the metallic powder over the hydrophobic polymer, and drying the hydrophobic polymer until the metallic powder is embedded.

Provided herein are articles including repellent coatings, as well as methods of making as using these articles. The articles can comprise a substrate and a repellent coating disposed on a surface of the substrate. The repellant coating can comprise hydrophobic particles dispersed within a polymer binder. The hydrophobic particles can be aggregated within the polymer binder, thereby forming a multiplicity of re-entrant structures embedded within and protruding from the polymer binder. The repellent coatings, and by extension the articles described herein, can exhibit selective wetting properties (e.g., superhydrophilicty/super-oleophobicity, or super-hydrophobicity/superoleophilicity).

A method for the prevention of zooglea growth within an air conditioning system includes applying an antifouling coating to an interior of a condensate pipe of the air conditioning system, where the antifouling coating has a base layer of an algaecide, an intermediate layer of a hydrophobic polymer, and a top layer of a metallic powder. The method of applying the antifouling coating includes pouring the algaecide coating into the condensate pipe, spinning the condensate pipe, and drying the algaecide coating. The method also includes pouring the hydrophobic polymer into the condensate pipe, spinning the condensate pipe to apply the hydrophobic polymer over the algaecide coating, partially drying the hydrophobic polymer, and pouring the metallic powder into the condensate pipe. In addition, the method includes spinning the condensate pipe to apply the metallic powder over the hydrophobic polymer, and drying the hydrophobic polymer until the metallic powder is embedded.