US Patent 6969166 Method for modifying the surface of a substrate

At least two fixable fluid materials are digitally applied adjacent to each other on a surface of a substrate and fixed to provide fixed coatings having different surface energies The first fixed coating has a first average receding contact angle with water, and the second fixed coating has a second average receding contact angle with water, wherein the magnitude of the difference between the first and second average receding contact angle is at least 30 degree. The coated substrates are useful for controlling the flow of fluid.