The self-cleaning surface of a lotus plant amazes one with its non-stick nature, with even a drop of water rolling down without making it wet! Researchers too are amazed by this magic of nature!
Inspired by these properties of a lotus leaf, the Georgia Institute of Technology researchers are mimicking it to help create electric transmission systems, photovoltaic arrays that are more reliable as they are capable of retaining their efficiency. The MEMS structures are left unaffected by water and biocompatible surfaces improved, which are able to prevent cells from adhering to implanted medical devices.
Growing in the waterways of Asia, the research aims to duplicate the self-cleaning surfaces of this lotus plant, whose leaves and flowers remain clean for micron- and nano-scale structures that compose their surfaces - despite growing in muddy environment.
