Surface finish

Abstract: Surface plasmons on smooth surfaces.- Surface plasmons on surfaces of small roughness.- Surfaces of enhanced roughness.- Light scattering at rough surfaces without an ATR device.- Surface plasmons on gratings.- Conclusions.

Abstract: A new type of metallic electromagnetic structure has been developed that is characterized by having high surface impedance. Although it is made of continuous metal, and conducts dc currents, it does not conduct ac currents within a forbidden frequency band. Unlike normal conductors, this new surface does not support propagating surface waves, and its image currents are not phase reversed. The geometry is analogous to a corrugated metal surface in which the corrugations have been folded up into lumped-circuit elements, and distributed in a two-dimensional lattice. The surface can be described using solid-state band theory concepts, even though the periodicity is much less than the free-space wavelength. This unique material is applicable to a variety of electromagnetic problems, including new kinds of low-profile antennas.

Abstract: Understanding the complementary roles of surface energy and roughness on natural nonwetting surfaces has led to the development of a number of biomimetic superhydrophobic surfaces, which exhibit apparent contact angles with water greater than 150 degrees and low contact angle hysteresis. However, superoleophobic surfaces-those that display contact angles greater than 150 degrees with organic liquids having appreciably lower surface tensions than that of water-are extremely rare. Calculations suggest that creating such a surface would require a surface energy lower than that of any known material. We show how a third factor, re-entrant surface curvature, in conjunction with chemical composition and roughened texture, can be used to design surfaces that display extreme resistance to wetting from a number of liquids with low surface tension, including alkanes such as decane and octane.

Abstract: Objectives The roughness of intraoral hard surfaces can influence bacterial plague retention. The present review evaluates the initial surface roughness of several intraoral hard materials, as well as changes in this surface roughness as a consequence of different treatment modalities. Methods Articles found through Medline searches were included in this review if they met the following criteria: 1) stated threshold surface roughness values and reputed change in surface roughness due to different manipulation techniques; or 2) included standardized surface conditions that could be compared to the treated surface. Results Recently, some in vivo studies suggested a threshold surface roughness for bacterial retention (R a = 0.2 μm) below which no further reduction in bacterial accumulation could be expected. An increase in surface roughness above this threshold roughness, however, resulted in a simultaneous increase in plaque accumulation, thereby increasing the risk for both caries and periodontal inflammation. The initial surface roughness of different dental materials ( e.g. , teeth, abutments, gold, amalgam, acrylic resin, resin composite, glass ionomer or compomer and ceramics) and the effect of different treatment modalities ( e.g. , polishing, scaling, brushing, condensing, glazing or finishing) on this initial surface roughness were analyzed and compared to the threshold surface roughness of 0.2 μm. The microbiological effects of these treatment modalities, if reported, are also discussed and compared to recent in vivo data. Significance Based on this review, the range in surface roughness of different intraoral hard surfaces was found to be wide, and the impact of dental treatments on the surface roughness is material-dependent. Some clinical techniques result in a very smooth surface (compressing of composites against matrices), whereas others made the surface rather rough (application of hand instruments on gold). These findings indicated that every dental material needs its own treatment modality in order to obtain and maintain a surface as smooth as possible.

Abstract: Various superhydrophobic films having different surface roughnesses were prepared, and the relationships between the sliding angle, the contact angle, and the surface structure were investigated. In the highly hydrophobic region, the sliding angles of water droplets decreased with increasing contact angles. Microstructural observation revealed that surface structures that can trap air are important for the preparation of low-sliding-angle surfaces. We have also derived an equation that describes the relationship between sliding angles and contact angles on superhydrophobic surfaces with roughness. The results calculated on the basis of this equation agreed well with the experimental ones. Moreover, we have successfully prepared a transparent superhydrophobic film whose sliding angle is ∼1° for a 7 mg water droplet. On this film, there was almost no resistance to the sliding of water droplets. The film obtained satisfies the requirements of superhydrophobicity, transparency, and a low water sliding angle.