Superhydrophobic Rose Petals Absorb Water Droplets

Function

Rose petals are superhydrophobic due to their uneven surface, which is both hydrophilic (water attracting) and hydrophobic (water repelling). Water droplets on the petals form beads, but stick to the petal surface without rolling off.

Functional Classification

Resouce/Energy/Information Collection & Storage:
Water retention
Defense/Stability:
AbsorptionWater repellent

Environmental Solution Classification

Related Literature

"Lin, F. (2008). ""Petal Effect: Two maj Tml5386 xamples of the Cassie–Baxter model are the ""Petal Effect"" and Lotus Effect"". A superhydrophobic state with high adhesive force"". Langmuir 24 (8): 4114–4119."

Technical Application

Rose petal design has been used to develop man-made sheets consisting of a hybrid metal-polymer structure that both repels and absorbs water droplets.

Products and Services

Type of Business

Proposals of Applied Technology

Man-made sheets that both repel and adsorb water can be used for crop cultivation in deserts and other arid regions to collect water particles without using energy.

Proposals of Applied Industry

Related Nature-Tech

Lotus Leaves are Highly Waterproof
The surface of lotus leaves is covered with bumps that are only several microns wide. One out of every several hundred bumps has a small projection attached to it, which helps the leaves repel water and dirt.

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