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Surfaces and interfaces

Surfaces and interfaces

Smooth sailing

18 May 2017

Superhydrophobic surfaces with the right microscopic structures could be the key to reducing friction on marine vessels, as CJ Kim explains

Photo of graduate students Shahank Gowda and Muchen Xu sitting in a small boat with an outboard motor, in a harbour with palm trees and the masts of sailing vessels visible in the background
The call of the sea University of California, Los Angeles graduate students Shashank Gowda and Muchen Xu are testing superhydrophobic surfaces attached to the bottom of a motorboat in Marina del Rey, California. (Courtesy: CJ Kim)
Ocean-going ships face a constant struggle. In order to maintain their motion, they must continuousl

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