Our ERA talent Dr. Omid Sharifahmadian recently presented his study on the development of durable superhydrophobic thin films for textile surfaces, highlighting innovative approaches to achieving long-lasting water repellency for technical textiles.

During the presentation, given in the presence of Dr. Rebeca Falcao and Dr. Rajesh Mundotia, he discussed the challenges associated with creating hydrophobic coatings that maintain their performance after repeated washing and mechanical stress.

By carefully engineering the surface structure and chemistry, the coatings aim to provide strong water repellency while remaining stable during real-world applications. To enable future industrial implementation, the project also explores the use of Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) as a scalable method for coating deposition. PECVD offers precise control over thin-film formation and allows uniform coatings to be applied to complex textile substrates while preserving their flexibility and structural integrity.

The ongoing training aims to bridge the gap between laboratory-scale development and industrial application by designing robust, scalable superhydrophobic coatings suitable for next-generation functional textiles, including protective clothing, outdoor fabrics, and self-cleaning materials.