SWITCHABLE SURFACES BASED ON FREELY FLOATING COLLOIDAL PARTICLES

摘要

The invention is directed to a switchable element comprising a substrate, a first material and colloidal particles, wherein the first material in a fluid state allows the colloidal particles to at least partially immerse into the first material, and wherein the colloidal particles are responsive to an external stimulus that changes their degree of immersion in the first material, and wherein at a temperature below the melting point of the first material the colloidal particles are fixed in their degree of immersion. The invention is further directed to a method for the preparation of said switchable element; a method for preparing said switchable element having on a surface a pattern of at least one first area, wherein the colloidal particles have a first degree of immersion, and at least one second area, wherein the colloidal particles have a second degree of immersion different from said first degree of immersion; a method of physical switching said switchable element; and the use of said switchable element.