I don't know how this could work.
Something to do with the boundary layer and surface energy. I don't have a clue about surface chemistry.
Well...a hyperaquaphobic, if it still worked with gaseous water would push away a good portion of the air..perhaps creating enough flow to keep the rest of the air at bay?
Perhaps one could do it with static electricity?-- lostmind, Jan 06 2013 Hi-Float http://hi-float.com/not quite gaseophobic but helium hates it [Brian the Painter, Jan 06 2013] /static electricity/ Ion wind, search youtube or wiki.
Hydrobead is successful in repelling water using fine hairs like that of a lotus flower. Maybe something similar can be employed here.-- Brian the Painter, Jan 06 2013 random, halfbakery