A European team of researchers led by the University of Parma, together with a network of partner companies, including the company of Vicenza Ecor Research, is developing the first fluid-repellent, antibacterial, metal surface in the world, bringing us one step closer to production of appliances and machinery for the food industry self-cleaning.
The innovation aroused within the TresClean project (High throughput laser texturing of self-cleaning and antibacterial surfaces) promoted in the framework of the community program Horizon 2020. The team was inspired by the mechanisms with which some plants, such as Lotus, make their leaves fluid-repellent.
TresClean team uses high-average power ultrashort-pulsed lasers to create on metal sheets a surface topography conceived to duplicate the Lotus leaf surface and to prevent liquid adhesion.