Superhydrophobicity in perfection: the outstanding properties of the lotus leaf

• Hans J. Ensikat,
• Petra Ditsche-Kuru,
• Christoph Neinhuis and
• Wilhelm Barthlott

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2011, 2, 152–161, doi:10.3762/bjnano.2.19

• ]. Superhydrophobic surfaces which feature permanent air retention under water are found on animals (some birds, spiders and insects). An outstanding air-retention capability is found, for example, for the aquatic insect Notonecta glauca (‘backswimmer’) [26][27]. Here the water repellency is created by a two-level

Superhydrophobic surfaces of the water bug Notonecta glauca: a model for friction reduction and air retention

• Petra Ditsche-Kuru,
• Erik S. Schneider,
• Jan-Erik Melskotte,
• Martin Brede,
• Alfred Leder and
• Wilhelm Barthlott

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2011, 2, 137–144, doi:10.3762/bjnano.2.17

• Biomechanics, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1–9, Kiel, 24098, Germany Lehrstuhl Strömungsmechanik, Universität Rostock, Albert Einstein Str. 2, Rostock, 18051, Germany 10.3762/bjnano.2.17 Abstract Superhydrophobic surfaces of plants and animals are of great interest for

• properties. In nature they occur in many species of animals and plants [1][2]. These surfaces combine a special topography at the micro- and nanoscale with a superhydrophobic surface chemistry [3][4]. Transferred to technical surfaces, superhydrophobic surfaces have successfully entered the markets of the

• friction on the elytron surface was measured. The combination of these two abilities makes these hierarchically structured surfaces extremely interesting for biomimetic applications such as low friction fluid transport or drag reduction on ship hulls. Experimental Animals. Freshly killed insects were

Twofold role of calcined hydrotalcites in the degradation of methyl parathion pesticide

• Alvaro Sampieri,
• Geolar Fetter,
• María Elena Villafuerte-Castrejon,
• Adriana Tejeda-Cruz and
• Pedro Bosch

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2011, 2, 99–103, doi:10.3762/bjnano.2.11

• degradation; mixed oxide; organophosphate; pesticide; water pollution; Introduction MP, an organophosphate, has been extensively used as pesticide since the 1970’s instead of chlorinated hydrocarbons (e.g., DDT). This pesticide is persistent and very toxic to humans and animals [1], even at low

Biomimetics inspired surfaces for drag reduction and oleophobicity/philicity

• Bharat Bhushan

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2011, 2, 66–84, doi:10.3762/bjnano.2.9

• animals, and seashells with properties of commercial interest. Certain plant leaves, such as lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) leaves, are known to be superhydrophobic and self-cleaning due to the hierarchical surface roughness and presence of a wax layer. In addition to a self-cleaning effect, these surfaces with

• behavior of oil droplets on various superoleophobic surfaces created in the lab. Keywords: aquatic animals; biomimetics; drag; lotus plants; shark skin; superhydrophobicity; superoleophobicity; Introduction Biologically inspired design, adaptation, or derivation from nature is referred to as ‘biomimetics

• understanding of the functions provided by objects and processes found in nature can guide us to imitate and produce nanomaterials, nanodevices, and processes [2]. There are a large number of objects (bacteria, plants, land and aquatic animals, seashells etc.) with properties of commercial interest. Natural