Soot normally means dirt, but it could be the key to creating transparent materials
that can repel both oil and water – perfect for self-cleaning lenses, windows or touchscreens.
A candle flame will coat a glass slide with black soot. The soot looks uniform,
but a scanning electron microscope reveals a fractal-like network of carbon
particles that makes it superhydrophobic, or incredibly water-repellent.
The coating doesn't last long, however: water drops rolling off the surface
drag loose particles with them, destroying the superhydrophobic properties.
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