The lotus effect refers to the very high water repellency (superhydrophobicity) exhibited by the leaves of the lotus flower (Nelumbo). Dirt particles are picked up by water droplets due to a complex micro- and nanoscopic architecture of the surface, which minimizes adhesion.
This effect can easily be demonstrated in many other plants, for example Tropaeolum, cane and columbine (Aquilegia), and on the wings of certain insects.
The phenomenon was first studied by Dettre and Johnson in 1964 using rough hydrophobic surfaces. Their work developed a theoretical model based on experiments with glass beads coated with paraffin or PTFE telomer. The self-cleaning property of superhydrophobic micro-nanostructured surfaces was studied by Barthlott and Ehler in 1977, and perfluoroalkyl and perfluoropolyether superhydrophobic materials were developed by Brown in 1986 for handling chemical and biological fluids. Other biotechnical applications have emerged since the 1990s. Learn more about the 'Lotus Effect' on Wikipedia.
If you wipe your butt with the lotus leaf after taking a poop in the wilderness, will the turds stick to the lotus leaf?
0 comments:
Post a Comment