Diana Alves’ Journey: Pioneering Superhydrophobic Coatings for Sustainability

We are thrilled to have Diana Alves with us today. Diana joined the Kolen’ko’s Group at INL as a Research Fellow in February 2022, where her groundbreaking work focuses on developing paint functional additives based on nanomaterials with hydrophobic properties.

Diana’s journey in science began with a master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Minho in 2011. Her international experiences include pivotal research stints at the University Medical Centre of Groningen and Innocore Pharmaceuticals in the Netherlands. She later pursued a PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering, also at the University of Minho, focusing on functionalizing biomaterials to impart antimicrobial properties. During this time, she collaborated with the prestigious Messersmith Research Group at Northwestern University in the USA.

Her postdoctoral and junior research years further showcased her versatility, as she delved into areas such as bacteriophage encapsulation for food safety and antimicrobial coatings for medical devices. Let’s dive into her inspiring journey and groundbreaking research!

1. Your career has taken you from Portugal to the Netherlands and the USA, working with institutions like Innocore Pharmaceuticals and Northwestern University. How have these international experiences shaped your approach to research and innovation?”

Both international experiences – first in the Netherlands and then in the USA – have been transformative in my approach to research and innovation. I was in the Netherlands during my Master’s program and this period played a crucial role in shaping my decision to pursue a PhD, as it introduced me to the research world. Afterwards, my time in the USA – during the first year of my PhD – empowered me with fundamental knowledge for my field of study. Both experiences allowed me to understand how different institutions operate in terms of problem-solving approaches and innovation, which definitely broadened my scientific thinking.

2. Your current research at INL focuses on developing paint functional additives with nanomaterials. What excites you most about this project, and what potential impact do you see it having on industries or daily life?

My current research at INL focuses on developing superhydrophobic coatings. What excites me the most about this project is the opportunity to solve a real-world problem within the automotive industry. I’m talking about the overspray in painting booths, when excess paint particles disperse and contaminate the surrounding environment. In particular, the hydrophilic nature of the covers used to protect the painting robots leads to paint absorption, requiring their frequent replacement. By imparting these covers with superhydrophobic properties, we can minimize the constant need for their replacement, reducing painting process delays and costs. The innovative aspect of developing superhydrophobic coatings without relying on the use of fluorinated compounds makes the work meaningful for both industry efficiency but also aligned with environmental sustainability.

3. For those outside the scientific community, how would you explain the significance of your work on nanomaterials and functional coatings? Why is it important for society at large?”

For those outside the scientific community, I’d describe my work as developing coatings that go one step further when compared to the usual attributes of protecting and decorating substrates. Traditionally, coatings were developed with those main purposes but now we want them to do so much more. For example, by incorporating nanomaterials in different formulations we can empower surfaces with the ability to repel water, which means they can be easily cleaned, resist ice formation, prevent metal corrosion or even microbial contamination. This is important for society because these advancements can improve the daily-life and industrial processes in a relevant way.

4. Having worked on diverse projects like antimicrobial coatings and bacteriophage encapsulation, what future directions or challenges in nanochemistry are you most eager to explore?

An important challenge in the development of superhydrophobic coatings that I am particularly eager to tackle relies on finding alternatives to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These so-called “forever chemicals” have been widely used for their superhydrophobic properties but are now under scrutiny for their health and environmental impacts. The combination of nanomaterials with other fluorine-free agents to create the micro/nano roughness and low surface energy required to achieve superhydrophobicity must be the future direction.

Another challenge in developing superhydrophobic surfaces is maintaining their wettability under harsh environmental conditions, considering that the hierarchical microstructure and chemical composition can be easily compromised by abrasion or chemical exposure. Finding more robust approaches will significantly expand their applications. Looking forward, I’m also intrigued by the possibility of developing superoleophobic surfaces which constitutes an even greater challenge, since oils have much lower surface tension than water.

At INL, Diana is pushing the boundaries of innovation by creating superhydrophobic coatings that promise to revolutionize processes in industries like automotive painting, all while prioritizing environmental sustainability. Her work beautifully merges cutting-edge nanomaterials science with practical applications that can significantly impact both industry and society.

Text and Photography by Gina Palha, Communication, Conferences & Marketing Officer