Learning from nature-polymer surfaces with a nano structure that utilise the Lotus-Effect and clean themselves

Abstract

The Lotus-Effect(R) research project is dedicated to the vision of producing self-cleaning surfaces. The principle of self-cleaning surfaces was discovered by Prof. Barthlott (1997), a botanist from Bonn, Germany. Barthlott researched the Lotus-Effect(R) of the lotus flower's leaves, which are self-cleaning due to their rough, wax-covered surfaces that enable them to bead off water, as off of a glowing hotplate. The secret of the so-called Lotus-Effect(R) is the rough surface structure of the leaves, which prevents dirt adhering to them. In addition, the surface of the leaves is coated with an ultra-fine layer of wax crystals which makes them water-repellent.