Georgia Tech inventors have developed a novel fabrication approach to impart anti-wetting properties to various surfaces by changing the surface physical structures, chemical structures, or both. The general approach takes advantage of and accentuates the intrinsic hierarchical structure of specific materials. As a result, the process is capable of maintaining the mechanical integrity of the material after modification.  Currently, this process has been applied to paper, wood, fabrics, and stainless steel surfaces. More specifically, when an electrochemical process is used to alter stainless steel surfaces, it has demonstrated the ability to kill bacteria without the use of antibiotics or chemical additives.