Home > News > Turning the lotus effect on its head
April 6th, 2005
Turning the lotus effect on its head
Abstract:
Companies that make water-repellent paints, fabrics and windscreens for cars often look to the lotus leaf for inspiration. The leaf is a symbol of purity in many cultures because of its ability to remain clean: when rain falls onto a lotus leaf, the drops of water that form on the surface roll off, taking any dirt with them. However, two researchers in the US have now discovered that although lotus leaves are superhydrophobic as far as droplets of water are concerned, they are actually hydrophilic with respect to condensed water vapour.
Source:
physicsweb
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