There are several plants in the plant kingdom that share remarkable traits. This is called the “lotus effect,” and broadly means that the leaves have self-cleaning capabilities thanks to a dense network of highly efficient, water-repellent nanostructures. These are known as superhydrophobic surfaces. German botanist Wilhelm Barttrot discovered and named this effect in the 1970s. The decades that followed would witness the first technological developments. biomimetic materials which takes advantage of its potential. Now, researchers from the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Texas A&M University have gone one step further and successfully designed a material that is stain-resistant, self-cleaning, and repels blood.
“German botanist Wilhelm Barttrott discovered and named the lotus effect in the 1970s. Many superhydrophobic materials now exploit its potential.”
chemical and structural requirements superhydrophobic material has so far prevented its realization. biomedical However, North American researchers have developed materials based on two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials. Its main building block is molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), which is tuned on an atomic scale, allowing us to freely control the level of hydrophobic efficiency or even switch to a hydrophilic material if desired.of new material It is flexible enough to be used as a coating on glass, paper, rubber and silica.
scientists are their technology It will be possible to treat stem cells in the following ways: technology research Blood and cell cultures containing proteins have been shown not to adhere to surfaces. They are also investigating potential applications for establishing stem cell fate, that is, the specialized cell types that stem cells develop into.
Other Lotus Effect Applications
Perhaps it is no coincidence that the lotus plant appears so prominently in Greek mythology (lotus eaters are mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey), or that the lotus has special symbolic value for Buddhism. do not have.development smart fabric and automatic cleaning system photovoltaic panel, dirt accumulates over time, reducing efficiency. It also has potential applications in the construction industry, allowing windows and façades to be glazed so they stay clean longer. nano coating.
I’mnovation-Hub has already covered a few things. Bio-inspired technology like a new type gecko-based gluean oil spill cleaning system inspired by fennel and botanicals. 3D printing A system that creates a material that hardens when pressure is applied, like the exoskeleton of a mantis shrimp. Check out these to learn more about the technology lessons that nature teaches us.
sauce: texas A&M Today
