There are several plants in the plant kingdom that share amazing properties. This is called the “lotus effect,” and loosely means that the leaves have the ability to self-clean by repelling water with high efficiency thanks to a dense network of nanostructures. These are known as superhydrophobic surfaces. It was German botanist Wilhelm Barttrot who discovered and named this effect in the 1970s.The next few decades will witness the first developments biomimetic materials that has demonstrated its potential. Now, researchers in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Texas A&M University are taking it a step further and designing materials that are antifouling, self-cleaning, and blood-repellent.
“In the 1970s, German botanist Wilhelm Barthlot discovered and named the lotus effect. Today, many superhydrophobic materials exploit its potential.”
chemical and structural requirements superhydrophobic material ha has so far biomedical However, North American researchers have developed materials based on two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials. Their main building block is atomic-scale modulated molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), with the ability to freely control the level of hydrophobic efficiency or even switch to a hydrophilic material if desired.of new material Flexible enough to be used as a coating on glass, paper, rubber, or silica.
scientists are their technology stem cells technology research It shows that blood and cell cultures containing proteins do not adhere to the surface. They are also investigating potential applications for establishing stem cell fates, the specialized cell types in which stem cells develop.
Other lotus effect applications
Perhaps it is no coincidence that the lotus appears so prominently in Greek mythology (referred to by the lotus-eaters in Homer’s Odyssey) or has special symbolic value for Buddhism, but is aesthetically pleasing. In addition to the poetic nature, the development smart fabric Self-cleaning systems for photovoltaic panels that become less efficient over time due to dirt buildup. There are also potential applications in the construction industry where, thanks to nano-coatings, windows and façades can be fitted with glass and stay clean longer.
I’mnovation-Hub already has several bio-inspired technology new type etc. Gecko-based adhesivea fennel-inspired oil spill cleaning system or 3D printing A system that creates a material that hardens when pressure is applied, like the exoskeleton of a mantis shrimp. Check them out if you want to learn more about the technology lessons that nature teaches us.
sauce: texas A&M Today
