Lotus effect: always clean cars and waterproof sleeping bags

In the 90s of the last century, the German botanist Wilhelm Bartlott studied the surface of one of the most beautiful plants in the world - the lotus. This amazing flower has long attracted scientists with an interesting ability. Its surface, possessing unique physicochemical properties, always remains dry and clean, even after the strongest tropical rain. Wilhelm Bartlott managed to unravel the secret of its hydrophobic coating, which served as the basis for the creation of many interesting things, including in the field of tourist equipment.

Water falling on the surface of the leaves and petals of a lotus curls into spherical drops and flows down. At the same time, it collects dust particles from the surface, thus cleaning it and making photosynthesis more productive. It turned out that the whole thing is cutin - a waxy substance consisting of higher fatty acids and esters. This substance is located on the surface of leaves and flowers in the form of peculiar "spikes", which are a specific nanostructure. In short, hydrophobicity is the ability of materials not to be wetted with water.

On the picture: the surface of the lotus leaf under the microscope

Coatings with the lotus effect gradually penetrate the field of tourist equipment. A British company that manufactures various products for travelers recently presented its wonderful waterproof sleeping bag. In it you can sleep right in the open air, admiring the stars and not afraid to get covered with morning dew or get wet in a sudden rain pouring. It has such a hydrophobic coating that you can even swim in it in it - the sleeping bag does not get wet or drown. Next in line is the serial production of tents, awnings and raincoats with lotus effect.

Superhydrophobic coatings have found their application in the automotive environment. One example of the application of the "lotus effect" was car paint, capable of self-cleaning under the influence of ordinary water, which is produced by the German company Duals System Deutschland. For vehicles, special formulations have also been developed that are sprayed to the surface and rubbed with a cloth. They not only remove dirt, but also cover the surface with a layer of self-cleaning substance that lasts for many months.

The lotus effect is undoubtedly one of the most useful discoveries in the field of nanotechnology. Next in line is the creation of unique dirt-resistant glass for self-cleaning building facades, raincoats and overalls, waterproof umbrellas and many other useful things.