Comments on: Lotus principle and other examples of Superhydrophobic surfaces in nature

By: Jake

Jake — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 14:58:41 +0000

To answer some of your questions: There is much work ongoing in this field. I have, however, never heard of any material being produced that is specifically designed to be “food safe”. But many of the substances/materials used are simply composed of carbon, zinc oxide or teflon. These materials are virtually harmless (has anyone ever died from acute poisoning by eating a piece of burnt toast)? In fact, the materials that I just mentioned are very stable to relatively high temperatures (teflon is about 500*F, and carbon is 4500+*F while ZnO is lower than carbon but still high). Some of the superhydrophobic properties might be reduced at lower temperatures but those temps are still quite high for cooking purposes. Wouldn’t it be great to have superhydro/oleophobic (oil resistant and water resistant) coatings for cookware? Even better than teflon! Usually the problem has been maintaining the nano or microstructured surface when it is exposed to repeated abrasion. It’s difficult.

We are working on superhydrophobic polymers. There have been many developments in this area (it’s a huge area ESPECIALLY if the title of your research project includes the word “nano”). I wouldn’t doubt if there was significant commercial application within the next 10 years if there isn’t already.

By: Tobla

Tobla — Mon, 23 May 2011 20:26:30 +0000

Lets not forget teapot spouts. At present is the application heat resistant and food safe?

By: SuperHydroPhobicCoating.com

SuperHydroPhobicCoating.com — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 08:48:12 +0000

It could be useful almost everywhere. Glasses, building materials, metal protection against corrosion, clothing not need to be washed etc. A big range of products

By: harvest

harvest — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 18:46:32 +0000

I remember reading The Gecko’s Foot by Peter Forbes and he talked about these sort of hydrophobic/hydrophilic surfaces. It really peaked my interest in this sort of thing. What sort of benefits could you get from a surface like this? From what I’ve read I can only think of cleaning applications and using them on vehicles, airplanes, and watercrafts.

By: Jorge Cuadra

Jorge Cuadra — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 20:58:22 +0000

If the lotus leaf has a lot of dust with polarity would the water drop lose it´s angle and lay flat on the leaf?

By: sumit

sumit — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 09:53:53 +0000

Dear Panageotis,
I am working on hydrophoboic calcium carbonate.I am just a student and doing my project work in my university.Tell me where I can find the methodologies of preparing hydrophobic calcium carbonate in nano dimensions.You can refer any book or any journals from where I can find my answers.It will be a great help to me if my prayer is granted.

Thanking you
sumit

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:28:19 +0000

Nice pictures! So we follow nature again e?

By: KJ

KJ — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:15:25 +0000

This area is just fascinating! Imagine how much easier things will become and how much longer things will last once these super hydrophobic surfaces are in the market!