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The formation of nanobubbles on hydrophobic self-assembled monolayers has been examined in a binary ethanol/water titration using small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The AFM data demonstrates a localized force effect attributed to nanobubbles on an immersed hydrophobic surface. This evidence is arguably compromised by the possibility that the AFM tip actually nucleates nanobubbles. As a complementary noninvasive technique, SAXS has been used to investigate the interfacial region of the immersed hydrophobic surface. SAXS measurements reveal an electron density depletion layer at the hydrophobic interface, with changing air solubility in the immersing liquid, due to the formation of nanobubbles.

Superhydrophobic surfaces were fabricated through a nanoparticle sol-gel process in the presence of a mono-disperse latex particle. By varying precursor nanoparticle size, surfaces of varying degrees of nanoroughness but controlled macro-roughness were produced, all of which exhibited superhydrophobic properties (θwater >160°, sliding angle <10°). These were immersed in water and studied in situ using synchrotron small angle X-ray scattering where the percentage interface under wetting (in contact with liquid) was directly quantified and found to agree well with traditional Cassie equations. Wetting studies in sodium dodecyl sulphate solutions of decreasing surface tension highlighting surfaces of increased hierarchical roughness (pseudo-fractal dimension ~2.5) contained significant quantity of entrapped air even at fluid surface tensions down to 37 mN m–1.

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Science, technology and innovation drive economies around the globe. Worldwide, governments are recognising the importance of international science collaboration and research and are investing heavily, developing programs that facilitate international collaboration. The United States and countries within Europe have long held an advantage in scientific collaboration; however, new superpowers are emerging in Asia. This provides new opportunities for Australia to strategically engage internationally, although Australia will need to act quickly to ensure it is not left behind in global science and innovation in the Asian Century.