A UF scientist and his research team are receiving international acclaim for developing a material that some experts believe may be the future of waterproof surfaces. Water droplets bounce off this new material like a trampoline, and instead of being absorbed, they roll across it like tiny sparkling marbles. It’s one of the first materials to successfully use surface physics instead of surface chemistry to repel water, and could be a safer and more eco-friendly alternative to chemicals such as Teflon. Wolfgang Sigmund, a professor of Materials Science and Engineering at UF, said that he and his research assistants worked for five years to develop the promising new material, and struck gold by looking to nature for inspiration.
Read the full article in the Gainesville Sun: UF team hailed for waterproof material
