Page 50 - Biomimetics: Technology Imitates Nature
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Biomimetics: Technology Imitates Nature
A lotus leaf with water on it
During his microscopic research, Dr. Wilhelm Barthlott at the University of
Bonn realized that leaves that required the least cleaning were those
with the roughest surfaces. On the surface of the lotus leaf, the
very cleanest of these, Dr. Barthlott found tiny
points, like a bed of nails. When a Speck of
dust or dirt falls onto the leaf, it teeters pre-
cariously on these points. When a droplet of
water rolls across these tiny points, it picks up the
speck, which is only poorly attached, and carries it
away. In other words, the lotus has a self-cleaning
leaf. This feature has inspired researchers to pro-
duce a house paint called LOTUSAN, guaranteed to
stay clean for five years. (Jim Robbins, “Engineers Ask Nature for Design
Advice,” New York Times, December 11, 2001.)
How a raindrop cleans a The effect of a raindrop The effect of raindrops on
lotus leaf on a normal surface a building exterior covered
with Lotusan.
