Industries such as energy, aerospace, and manufacturing require adaptive surfaces to control wetting and adsorption under dynamic conditions. Current methods rely on static hydrophobic coatings, oil-infused layers, or electrowetting systems. These solutions lack reversibility, degrade over time, or require direct electrical contact with liquids, limiting their durability and applicability. A technology that enables precise, reversible, and non-invasive modulation of surface properties would meet critical needs in condensation management, anti-fog treatments, water harvesting, and ice prevention.
This invention features a multilayer structure composed of a conductive gate, a dielectric layer, and a 2D outer surface such as graphene. By applying a gate voltage, the surface’s electronic properties are tuned to control wetting and adsorption in real time. The system enables ambipolar doping by water molecules, switching between n-type and p-type states depending on voltage polarity. Unlike electrowetting, the control occurs internally within the surface, allowing function on free surfaces without direct fluid contact. Integrated with nanoporous substrates, the design can also serve as a voltage-controlled filtration membrane.
• Real-time, reversible modulation of wetting and adsorption
• No direct electrical contact with liquids required (safe for free surfaces)
• Faster adsorption kinetics and higher capacity enabled by graphene doping
• Applicable to both liquids and gases for broad utility
• Expandable to nanoporous membranes for electrically tunable filtration
• Superior adaptability compared to static hydrophobic coatings or oil-infused layers
• US Provisional Patent Application No. 63/124,868 – Filed 12/13/2020 (Converted)
• US Utility Patent Application No. 17/549,548 – Filed 12/13/2021
Validated – Laboratory testing has demonstrated reversible wetting control and proof-of-concept performance for surface adaptability. TRL ~4–5.
This technology is available for licensing.
Applications span energy, aerospace, HVAC, and protective systems markets where dynamic and durable surface control offers major performance and safety advantages.
Experimental wetting performance data, adsorption kinetics studies, and voltage-control response details available upon request.