Chemspy chemistry news and views

Remote controlled omniphobic surface - Chemists in the US have developed a material that normally resists wetting by both aqueous and organic liquids, but can have this property 'switched off' using a magnet, allowing liquids to soak the surface. The design should improve understanding of this sort of superomniphobic material, with applications in smudge-free touchscreen surfaces and improving the efficiency of liquid transport. Reference: A Grigoryev et al, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2012, DOI: 10.1021/ja305348n