Water drops do not adhere to the self-cleaning aluminium surface. The latter has been functionalized by a team of CAMP scientists using direct laser interference patterning (DLIP). Source: Fraunhofer IWS DresdenScientists from the Technische Universität Dresden and the Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS have developed a self-cleaning aluminum.

Using a direct laser interference patterning (DLIP) process, the team fashioned an aluminum plate that prevents water droplets from adhering to the aluminum’s surface and that can remove dirt particles via rolling water droplets, without using chemical cleaning agents.

In addition to its self-cleaning properties, the periodic surface structure is also water and ice repellant.

The self-cleaning aluminum could potentially be used in food and beverage processing equipment to avoid the introduction of chemical cleaning agents to food.

The research appears in the journal Applied Surface Science.