Superwetting surfaces are widely used in many engineering fields for reducing energy and resistance loss. A facile and efficient method using laser etching has been used to fabricate and control superwettable drag reduction surfaces. Inspired by the self-cleaning theory of lotus leaves, we propose controllable patterned bionic superhydrophobic surfaces (BSSs) simulating the uneven micro/nanostructures of lotus leaves. The superhydrophobicity and drag reduction ratios at low velocities are highly improved using a laser ablation method on metal substrates. However, unstable air layers trapped on superhydrophobic surfaces are usually cut away by a high-velocity flow, which greatly reduces the drag reduction performance. The fabricated bionic superhydrophobic/hydrophilic surfaces (BSHSs) with alternated hydrophilic strips can build a large surface energy barrier to bind the three-phase contact line. It maintains the stable drag reduction by capturing the air bubbles attached to the hydrophilic strips at a high velocity. Three-dimensional simulation analysis and equipment to measure the weak friction of a self-assembled solid–liquid interface are used to explain the drag reduction mechanism and measure the drag reduction ratios at different flow speeds. BSSs achieve an improved drag reduction effect (maximum 52.76%) at a low velocity (maximum 1.5568 m/s). BSHSs maintain an improved and steady drag reduction effect at high speed. The drag reduction ratios can be maintained at about 30% at high speed, with a maximum value of 4.448 m/s. This research has broad application prospects in energy saving, liquid directional transportation, and shipping due to their robust superhydrophobic properties and stable drag reduction effect.

Superhydrophobic surfaces have shown utility applications in drag reduction field. A novel method based on simulation analysis and test experiments is proposed to fabricate a superhydrophobic surface with 3D flower-like micro and nano-structures on a steel ball under an O₂ rich environment. The superhydrophobic steel surface has water CA of 166 ± 1.5°. The sliding angle is less than 2°. The experiment and the simulation of the superhydrophobic and the untreated steel ball fall under water are built to prove the validity of the method of reducing water resistance. The drag reduction ratio of the superhydrophobic steel ball is beyond 53% opposed to the untreated surface under water. A model simulation is built to simulate and analyze the solid-liquid interface drag reduction mechanism of superhydrophobic surface based on theoretical analysis. The result testifies the rationality of the drag reduction experiment.

Stable rotor levitation is a challenge for rotational gyroscopes (magnetically suspended gyroscopes (MSG) and electrostatically suspended gyroscopes (ESG)) with a ring- or disk-shaped rotor, which restricts further improvement of gyroscope performance. In addition, complicated pick-up circuits and feedback control electronics propose high requirement on fabrication technology. In the proposed gyroscope, a ball-disk shaped rotor is supported by a water-film bearing, formed by centrifugal force to deionized water at the cavity of the lower supporting pillar. Water-film bearing provides stable mechanical support, without the need for complicated electronics and control system for rotor suspension. To decrease sliding friction between the rotor ball and the water-film bearing, a supherhydrophobic surface (SHS) with nano-structures is fabricated on the rotor ball, resulting in a rated spinning speed increase of 12.4% (under the same driving current). Rotor is actuated by the driving scheme of brushless direct current motor (BLDCM). Interaction between the magnetized rotor and the magnetic-conducted stator produces a sinusoidal rotor restoring torque, amplitude of which is proportional to the rotor deflection angle inherently. Utilization of this magnetic restoring effect avoids adding of a high amplitude voltage for electrostatic feedback, which may cause air breakdown. Two differential capacitance pairs are utilized to measure input angular speeds at perpendicular directions of the rotor plane. The bias stability of the fabricated gyroscope is as low as 0.5°/h.

Superwetting porous FZCF as immiscible oil/organic solvents separation material that possesses excellent corrosion resistance can be widely applied in many industrial fields such as oily wastewater treatment and marine oil spill accidents.