Stimuli-responsive hierarchical roughness providing superhydrophobicity in a surfactant rich environment

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MAAX Bath Inc is actively pursuing improved fabrication of surface treatments or coatings for enhancing the surface properties of bathtubs, showers, and shower doors and it is believed that through the creation of superhydrophobic surfaces we can reach the desired property of "easy clean" or "self-cleaning". Giasson's group is ideally suited to provide an innovative solution, as it has considerable expertise in the two key areas of interest: chemical modification of surfaces and attachment of macromolecules and particles to surfaces in water-based media. The proposed collaborative approach addresses the current challenges of superhydrophobicity by developing new thermo-responsive hierarchically structured coatings that can be permanently bond to substrates and designed to avoid any toxic solvent that will be required for the application. The proposed studies are in line with the industrial partner's desire to improve fabrication processes and lifetime of the surface treatments. This could create a significant improvement to the existing coating technology and a great competitive advantage for products made in Canada.