Curvature affects superhydrophobicity on flexible silicone microstructured surfaces

The flexure of microstructured polymers affects hydrophobicity. As curvature becomes more positive, droplets suspended on the tops of asperities are suspended on fewer asperities, resulting in an increase in contact angle and a decrease in slide angle. Critical curvature constraints presented here can be used to design microstructure geometries that maintain the suspension of a droplet when curved surfaces are covered with microstructured polymers for corrosion resistance or fluid control.