Science

Glass Ketchup Bottles Meet Their Match With the Slipperiest Material Yet

You can leave a ketchup bottle upside for hours and you still won’t get all dregs out of there. The same goes for jams, lotions and other like substances contained in bottles.

Scientists Create Slippery Substance to Which Virtually Nothing Sticks

Know the feeling?

The Telegraph reports that scientists at Harvard University created a substance that repels both water and oils — a trait called omniphobicity – and could be used to coat bottles and solve this problem once and for all:

Professor Joanna Aizenberg, a materials scientists at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, said: “It is a problem we all face – we have a bottle of sauce and we are trying to get the last bit out but nothing is happening.

“If we used substance like ours to coat the inside of bottles, it would be possible to get it all out.

“The only problem may be that the sauce may come out a little too easily on to their food.”

So, instead seeing ketchup trapped in those frustrating Heinz glass bottles that some restaurants still insist on using, you may get a deluge of it if the container were coated with this substance.

The substance has the appropriate nickname SLIPS, which stands for Slippery Liquid Infused Porous Surface, and has been tested against substances like blood, crude oil and jam, according to The Telegraph.

While many of us may be excited about the possibility to not have to wait endlessly for ketchup while are fries get cold, Aizenberg has other ideas as well:

“There are a lot of potential applications for this, but among the ones I am most excited about are use in the energy industry for making oil flow more efficiently through pipes for example.

“It also repels ice and so is not prone to icing up, which would be ideal on aircraft wings or in industrial freezer units. We could use it as an anti-graffiti surface, so paint sprayed onto a wall would just slide off.”

Here are a few examples showing how slippery it is:

New Scientist reports that scientists drew inspiration from carnivorous pitcher plants:

The plants prey on insects, whose oily feet normally allow them to walk up walls. But pitchers’ tube-shaped leaves have microscopic bumps that hold a thin layer of water in place. The water repels the oils, sending hapless insects slipping straight into their gaping mouths.

“They just step on the rim, and immediately slide into the digestive juices,” Aizenberg says.

Scientists Create Slippery Substance to Which Virtually Nothing Sticks

Pitcher plant (Nepenthes). (Photo: Science Knowledge)

Starting with a Teflon, which is already known for being non-stick, the team coated it with 3M Fluorinert FC-70 that sunk into the Teflon’s pores and left a thin layer on top, making the surface slippery to all substances.

Comments (35)

  • wtune
    Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:41am

    Of course, the nay sayers are focusing on the catsup bottles. Did anyone notice that that use was only an example? The other prospective uses, such as lining oil pipelines, have been virtually ignored by the food safty police. I would assume that further testing for use in food containers would occur before it makes its grocery debut.

    But the de-icing of aircraft wings would save hours of time on the ground, not to mention keeping ice from forming while in the air. This would not only save fuel from reduced weight and drag, but it would keep wings from icing up and causing crashes.

    And how much energy is lost in pumping crude oil through pipelines? If that could be dropped by 50%, that would make a vast difference in net energy delivery. And the reduced friction on the pipes from heavy crude oil would prolong the life and environmental safety of the pipes at the same time. Less friction wear on the inside would reduce potential leakage and ensuing environmental damage.

    I might want more research before Mrs Kerry starts using it at Heinz, but the other uses sound fantastic.

    Report Post »  
  • Ghandi was a Republican
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 11:12pm

    Can we spray a little on the Steps at the Capitol in hopes of keeping the greasy politicians out?

    Report Post » Ghandi was a Republican  
  • ACACIA
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 6:53pm

    i am a lover of ketchup, but i donot need more chemicals in my diet. please keep this crap out of my food!!!!

    Report Post »  
    • WeekendAtBernankes
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 7:17pm

      Imagine what would happen if you drank a bottle of the stuff.

      Report Post » WeekendAtBernankes  
    • teamarcheson
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 8:32pm

      You never know where research will take you. Pitcher plant research solves a problem with ketchup bottles.

      Report Post »  
  • ramburner
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 6:02pm

    This is what we need, more chemicals! Our bodies are already deluged with chemicals, so now add more to our food! Heinz does not care, Mr. Kerry is a Progressive Democrat that only cares about profit – gee, the Occupy people should camp out on his wife’s factory grounds all around the world! Teflon has been linked to many modern diseases – meaning those that have been “discovered” since the late 1940′s. Teflon will kill human beings if ingested, but that is ok, the Progressive Globalists and One World Government people MUST kill at least 6.5 Billion of us in order to comply with their 10 Commandments as written in stone outside of Atlanta. By their laws, only 500 Million of us should be allowed to populate the world. It‘s no wonder we can’t get good medical treatment, all of our food has become laden with chemicals due to processing, we have rampant disease that no one can cure, and the elderly an infirm are allowed and even taught how to expire. Drink up world, Aspartame and Fluoride are rat poisons and they are found in all of our drinking water and all of our diet food and drinks. We “genetically modify” our seed, thanks to Monsanto, to make pesticide to kill bugs, then eat the crop which turns our gut bacteria into pesticide factories inside our body, which then kills us! Ala; BT Corn – for those of you that don’t know about it. Tested in the Philippines on those third world people who don’t know what is going on. Keep killing us with Chemicals.

    Report Post »  
  • CHESTER MOUSE
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 5:56pm

    Is this what they do at Harvard? How much more are we going to have to pay for this crap to be put in the bottles? Oh my God, how fast the Ketchup comes out of the bottle is what they are studying?

    He’s to lazy to tap the bottle to help it along, he’s the 1%- higher someone unemployed to do it for you!

    I wouldn’t brag out there if you attended HARVARD! you have got to be kidding me!

    Report Post » CHESTER MOUSE  
  • inferno
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 3:56pm

    Secret to getting Catsup out of the bottle: Hold the bottle in a horizontal position over your target. Tap the neck of the bottle with your index and middle finger with the opposite hand. It will take a few firm taps , Be patient . It works.

    Report Post »  
  • liberalescheisskopf
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 12:22pm

    Can we spray it inside ALL the buildings in DC?

    Report Post » liberalescheisskopf  
  • RestoreCapitalism
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 12:12pm

    Sounds like a nuclear laxative. I’m wondering what this stuff would do to you over time.

    Report Post » RestoreCapitalism  
    • Apple Bite
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 1:00pm

      considering the Liberals are simply full of themselves, they’d be the perfect test subjects…

      Report Post » Apple Bite  
  • snufy
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 11:20am

    I prefer Red Gold ketchup. I have been to their factory and can tell you that they use the best ingredients and make it with great care.

    Report Post » snufy  
  • raybojabo
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 10:04am

    I could use some of that in my toilet.

    Report Post »  
  • cemerius
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 9:56am

    How fast will peanut butter jar empty out? woohoo

    Report Post » cemerius  
  • Reload
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 9:43am

    ““The only problem may be that the sauce may come out a little too easily ”

    The story of my life.

    Report Post » Reload  
  • grayling646
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 8:59am

    Tap Tap Tap Tap Tap….SPLAT!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • Worried Grammie
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 8:54am

    Anything involved with Heinz, IMO, should be boycotted. I am one conservative who will not in any way support Heinz, lying John Kerry, or any corrupt politician – and that’s both sides of the aisle. Also, where are the conservationists??? What chemical compounds are in this new SLIPS that will affect our health?? I guess it really doesn’t matter, though, with all of the chemtrails, the loan to the Dem campaign contributor with the “new smallpox vaccine” – how stupid are the American people to not realize that anything the government approves or promotes is definitely not good for the American citizens!!! This old grammie is fed up with the corporate cronyism and Congress exempting themselves from the laws that apply to the rest of us.

    Report Post »  
    • kevininflyovercountry
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 2:18pm

      good for you worried G!! ive been boycotting heinz for years, for those of you that dont know it john kerry is married to the heinz heiress. they say the blue blooded highness is known to throw stuff at the help. warren buffetts outfit owns dairy queen and nebraska furniture joint two places i no longer go to!!!! it may not be much but ill do my part to break these commie sympathizer outfits!!!

      Report Post »  
  • Krazy_Kreepy_Ketchup
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 8:24am

    I feel that this article is offensive to female bodied women named ketchup.I feel a lawsuit. Where is the ACLU?

    Report Post » Krazy_Kreepy_Ketchup  
  • InversionTheory
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 7:38am

    Ah…. The marketplace. Solves all it’s own problems.

    Report Post »  
  • shipwreckkelley
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 7:36am

    Please don’t buy Heinz ketchup, every time you do Teresa Heinz Kerry gets a nickel of your money.

    Report Post » shipwreckkelley  
    • InversionTheory
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 7:39am

      I know….but it tastes the best and I get a year’s supply at Costco so cheaply.

      Report Post »  
  • momsense
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 6:09am

    And how long before the rabid environmentlists ae telling us this is not good for the environment?

    Report Post »  
    • SgtB
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 8:46am

      I’m no rabid environmentalist, far from it, but I will tell you that this coating, which is based off of teflon, contains the toxic element fluorine. There is a reason you shouldn’t ever seer food in a teflon pan. At high temp.s the teflon coating releases fluorine gas and fluorine is the most reactive element meaning that it will incorporate itself into any molecule that it can., Basically, just not good to be around the stuff. It was also found by the NAZIs that putting sodium fluoride (a source of fuoride ions) in water acts to pacify people who drink it and makes them easier to handle. Probably why they put it in concentration camp water supplies.

      Of course, today we put the stuff in your water to prevent cavities. Only one problem with that theory though. When you drink water it goes straight through your mouth and down your throat. It hardly comes into contact with your teeth. Also, if you drink alot of this fluorinated water it causes fluorination. The most obvious sign of fluorination is white spots on your teeth, the less know signs are brittle and weak bones as the fluorine leaches the calcium out of your body. Wonder why I see all these commercials about womens’ bone loss treatments on TV?

      Report Post » SgtB  
  • Brady
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 1:56am

    Are you guys hiring an editor? I’d be happy to read these articles and make the necessary spelling corrections, and I bet I’d do it a lot cheaper than a “real” editor.

    Report Post » Brady  
  • khthornton
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 1:36am

    Just keep this stuff away from politicians. They are already slippery enough

    Report Post »  
  • ChristianConservative76
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 1:25am

    Wow it’s a story about ketchup. I for one am in favor of all enhancements to the king of condiments.
    Lets please not politicize such a pure and noble subject.

    Report Post » ChristianConservative76  
    • cemerius
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 9:55am

      Can’t wait til they put in in peanut butter jars……woohoo :)

      Report Post » cemerius  
  • darang
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 12:46am

    GET OFF YOUR BUTT
    Lay off that stuff for awhile..it really is effecting your reasoning of thought. Take couple of months off, and rejuvenate some of those dead cells back. But for now just keep believing what others tell you about Glenn because your too lazy to find out for yourself. Most of all stay away from ketchup yourself.

    Report Post »  
  • Howyinthehills
    Posted on November 14, 2011 at 11:50pm

    Keep this away from O’Bama!

    Report Post » Howyinthehills  
    • Get off your butt and join the Marines
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 12:02am

      How the hell does ketchup bottles have anything to do with president Obama? Oh, I forgot that neocons and especially Glen Beck minions will rant about president Obama and blame him for everything bad in their lives. As the saying goes – Ignorance is bliss. Therefore you must be quite blissful!

      Report Post » Get off your butt and join the Marines  
    • Fitz Gerald
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 12:42am

      @GET OFF – Just like libs will rant about Bush and blame everything on him too huh? Sound familiar? Maybe you forgot because you are in some “ignorant bliss” yourself.

      Report Post » Fitz Gerald  
    • grayling646
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 9:08am

      lol where else can a story about making ketchup easier to use turn into a debate about who’s worse, Obama or Bush?

      Report Post »  

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