Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention provide a method of forming a metal matrix composite including introducing a plurality of nanoparticles into a flow of metal material, and mixing of at least a partial portion of the flow of metal material with at least some of the plurality of nanoparticles to form a mixture of the metal material and at least some of the nanoparticles. The method further includes forming a metal matrix composite from the mixture, where the metal matrix composite includes a bulk region and an outer surface including a plurality of hydrophobic regions dispersed within a hydrophilic surface region. Further, the plurality of hydrophobic regions is formed or derived from the plurality of nanoparticles, and the hydrophobic regions have a first diameter, and an average spacing between the hydrophobic regions is a second diameter, where the first and second diameters are about 100 nm to 400 nm.