US Patent 7494944 Method for durable hydrophilization of a hydrophobic surface

A method for hydrophilizing a hydrophobic surface of a substrate includes the steps of (a) defining a temperature range of: (i) greater than or equal to an anticipated lower use temperature (LUT), or (ii) less than or equal to an anticipated upper use temperature (UUT), or (iii) from a LUT to an UUT, wherein LUT≦UUT, within which the substrate is intended to be used in the presence of water, and (b) depositing at least one polymer on at least a portion of the surface, said polymer being soluble in water to the extent that an aqueous solution of such polymer exhibits: (i) a lower critical solution temperature (LCST), wherein LCST<LUT, or (ii) an upper critical solution temperature (UCST), wherein UUT<UCST, or (iii) a LCST and a UCST, wherein UCST<LCST and: (1) LCST<LUT, or (2) UUT<UCST.