Progress in theories of super-hydrophobic surface slip effect and its application to drag reduction technology

Drag reductiontechnology is very important for improving oil recovery andreducing the fluid flow resistance. This paper gives a review ofrecent progresses in the basic theory of super-hydrophobic surfacestructure, key factors in the formation of super-hydrophobicsurfaces and the preparation methods of mimickingsuper-hydrophobic surfaces. A comprehensive analysis is given forthe super-hydrophobic surface slip theory and related dragreduction technology. A brief introduction is made to describe theapplication of super-hydrophobic nanoparticles adsorption methodto the reduction of fluid flow resistances in oil reservoirmicrochannels. Finally, future developments of thesuper-hydrophobic surface slip effect and its applications areprospected.