Also: self-cleaning surfaces, superhydrophobic, slippery surfaces
Lotus leaves stay clean because tiny waxy bumps make water bead and roll off, carrying dirt. Engineers copy this for self-cleaning and water-repellent coatings.
Readiness: lab lab studies · prototype demonstrated objects · commercial products or buildings in real use · review summaries of other studies.
Barthlott and Neinhuis explained how micro-rough waxy leaf surfaces make lotus leaves self-cleaning.
As reported in: Barthlott, Neinhuis (1997). Purity of the sacred lotus, or escape from contamination in biological surfaces. Planta. doi:10.1007/s004250050096
Abstract only
Feng and colleagues reviewed superhydrophobic surfaces from natural examples to artificial ones.
Built / tested: superhydrophobic coatings
As reported in: Feng, Li, Li et al. (2002). Super‐Hydrophobic Surfaces: From Natural to Artificial. Advanced Materials. doi:10.1002/adma.200290020
Abstract only
Wong and colleagues made self-repairing liquid-infused slippery surfaces inspired by the pitcher plant.
Built / tested: SLIPS coatings
As reported in: Wong, Kang, Tang et al. (2011). Bioinspired self-repairing slippery surfaces with pressure-stable omniphobicity. Nature. doi:10.1038/nature10447