It may be no wonder then, that the researchers at the German chemical company BASF are developing a spray-on coating that mimics the way lotus leaves repel water droplets and particles of dirt. The lotus plant, much like the feathers on a duck, have superhydrolic surfaces - meaning that if water falls on them, they bunch up into droplets, and if held at an angle, will roll off with ease. An even greater feat is perhaps that the water droplets that are created upon the surface of the lotus collects dirt, so in a way it's self-cleaning. (2.)
This happens because the lotus plant is covered in microscopic wax crystals. BASF's new achievement mimics the lotus's stunning success by calling it, 'The Lotus Effect'. As taken from nanotech.org,
"BASF's lotus-effect aerosol spray combines nanoparticles with hydrophobic polymers such as polypropylene, polyethylene and waxes. It also includes a propellant gas. As it dries, the coating develops a nanostructure through self-assembly. BASF says that the spray particularly suits rough surfaces such as paper, leather, textiles and masonry: the self-cleaning shoe may soon be a reality." (2.)
BASF even soon hopes to come up with a spray that may even work on much more texturized surfaces, such as sandpaper. BASF calls it 'lotus stone', and many regard it for having great future use in construction, considering the idea of facing tiles.
Making biomimicry ideas come to life, such as the lotus effect, gives way for a brighter and greener future. Creative and intuitive designs, even if a trendy statement, still effortlessly prove to us that earth is priority.
SOURCES
(1.) The Lotus Flower, http://www.kingtutshop.com/freeinfo/Lotus-Flower.htm
(2.) The Lotus Effect Shakes Off Dirt, http://nanotechweb.org/cws/article/tech/16392
Good work, Coryn. Some well done research here. Now, the other 2 examples?
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