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February 8th, 2010
Termite wings may pave way for hydrophobic materials
Abstract:
The unique water-repelling ability of termites might help scientists from James Cook University in Townsville in developing new hydrophobic materials.
According to Nanoscience researcher Dr Gregory Watson, water droplets just spontaneously roll off the termite wings.
"It's advantageous to fly in the rain because you've got a mobile canvas of droplets so it's harder for predators to see you," ABC Science quoted Watson as saying.
The research team discovered an ingenious two-tiered "anti-wetting" system on termite wings.
The wing surface is covered in micro-scale hydrophobic hairs and nano-scale star-shaped structures called "micrasters".
Source:
dnaindia.com
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