Why Don’t Water Drops Adhere to Lotus Leaves?
Raindrops falling on lotus leaves can be observed not wetting the leaves but rather forming rounded droplets that smoothly slide off.
How is this phenomenon possible?
When magnified under a microscope, the surface of lotus leaves is covered with bumps ranging in size from 3 to 10 micrometers. These bumps are coated with a nanoscale water-repellent coating. Thanks to this unique and uneven structure, water droplets on lotus leaves cannot penetrate but instead flow off the surface.
Principle Behind Glasses Not Fogging Up.
Glasses fog up because the moisture from breathing, when exhaled, condenses into liquid water on the lens surface upon meeting cold air.
When coated with super hydrophilic nanoparticels, the lenses prevent the formation of water droplets, creating a thin layer that prevents fogging.
In essence, utilizing super hydrophilic technology prevents fogging on glasses.
What is Super Hydrophobicity?
What is Super Hydrophilicity?
Hydrophilicity refers to the property where water spreads thinly over a surface instead of forming droplets. If the contact angle between the surface and water is less than 10º, it is described as having super hydrophilic properties.
Applications of
Super Hydrophilicity :
Hydrophobicity refers to the property where water tends to bead up on a surface, maintaining a nearly spherical shape. If the contact angle exceeds 150º, it is described as having super hydrophobic properties.
From preventing fog on glasses even when wearing a mask to dedicated anti-fog coatings that enhance the visibility of tempting desserts in refrigerated showcases, super hydrophilic coating prove helpful in various real-life situations.
They are also employed in specialized fields such as anti-fog coatings for medical endoscopes and military targeting optics.
Applications of
Super Hydrophobicity :
The versatility of superhydrophobic coating knows no bounds,
ranging from TexDry footwear that remains clean even when walking through mud puddles to fire-resistant and water- repellent coatings for robust wooden structures.