IP Library › Granted Patent US 12693450
Granted Patent B2
US 12693450 · App. 17/131,367 · Granted Jul 28, 2026

Processing of superhydrophilic, infrared transmissive, anti-reflective nanostructured surfaces

Inventors: Darryl A. Boyd (Alexandria, VA); Jesse A. Frantz (Landover, MD); Shyam S. Bayya (Ashburn, VA); Lynda E. Busse (Alexandria, VA); Jasbinder S. Sanghera (Ashburn, VA); Woohong Kim (Lorton, VA); Ishwar D. Aggarwal (Waxhaw, NC)
Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
G02B1/18B05D1/18B05D1/185B05D5/02B05D5/083C03C17/30C03C17/32G02B1/118B05D3/142B05D2203/35C03C2217/732C03C2217/76
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12693450
App. No.
17/131,367
Granted
Jul 28, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for producing nanostructured, hydrophilic, transmissive, anti-reflective surfaces is described. The method for providing a hydrophilic surface includes steps of providing a substrate that is transmissive in at least one wavelength in the infrared to ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum and comprises at least one surface including nanostructures of a size smaller than the at least one wavelength; and functionalizing the at least one surface with hydroxyl groups thereon. This method provides devices having excellent transmittance and anti-reflectance properties and which are resistant to seawater.

Claims (7)

1 . A method of forming an anti-reflective, transmissive, superhydrophilic material, comprising:

providing a substrate that is transmissive in at least one wavelength in the infrared to ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum and comprising at least one surface having nanostructures of a size smaller than the at least one wavelength patterned directly into the at least one surface without a separate coating that can delaminate; and

functionalizing the at least one surface with hydroxyl groups thereon to form an anti-reflective, transmissive, superhydrophilic material, wherein the functionalizing step comprises plasma etching in an oxygen atmosphere.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of, fused silica, quartz-containing materials, germanium-containing materials, alumina-containing materials, and other optical and non-optical glasses, crystals and ceramics.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one wavelength comprises a range of wavelengths in the infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the nanostructures have topological features selected from the group consisting of: jagged, pointed, cylindrical pillars, pointed cones, truncated cones, and a honeycomb pattern.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the substrate is fused silica.