| abstract |
A process comprises (a) applying a coating consisting essentially of at least one hydrophobic material to at least a portion of at least one surface of a substrate to form a water repellent layer; (b) disposing a plurality of particles on the water repellent layer, the particles being selected from porous particles, particle aggregates, and mixtures thereof; (c) at least partially embedding the particles in the water repellent layer; (d) at least partially hardening the water repellent layer; and (e) removing the at least partially embedded particles to form a microstructured coating; wherein the microstructured coating comprises a plurality of cavities that taper from the exposed surface of the coating toward the substrate. |