Researchers Create Ultra-Stretchable Superomniphobic Material With Laser Ablation

Researchers at North Carolina State University report a laser-ablation process, guided by machine learning, that creates ultra-stretchable superomniphobic surfaces published in Matter. The siloxane elastomer retained liquid-repellent properties at up to 400% strain and after more than 5,000 stretch-release cycles, without solvent-based spray coatings. This greener, solvent-free method could enable durable coatings for soft robotics, wearable electronics, artificial skin, and protective textiles.
Key Points
- 1Demonstrate laser-ablated superomniphobic elastomer sustaining 400% strain and over 5,000 stretch cycles.
- 2Eliminate solvent-based spray coatings by using ML-optimized laser parameters, avoiding delamination under strain.
- 3Enable greener, durable surfaces for soft robotics, wearable electronics, artificial skin, and protective textiles.
Scoring Rationale
Strong experimental innovation and ML optimization, limited to materials/soft-robotics domain but published in reputable journal.
Sources
Public references used for this report.
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