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  • Self-propulsion of dew drops on lotus leaves: a potential mechanism for self cleaning

    Author(s)
    Watson, Gregory S
    Gellender, Marty
    Watson, Jolanta A
    Griffith University Author(s)
    Watson, Jolanta A.
    Watson, Gregory S.
    Year published
    2014
    Metadata
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    Abstract
    This study shows that condensation on the hierarchically structured lotus leaf can facilitate self-propulsion of water droplets off the surface. Droplets on leaves inclined at high angles can be completely removed from the surface by self-propulsion with the assistance of gravity. Due to the small size of mobile droplets, light breezes may also fully remove the propelled droplets, which are typically projected beyond the boundary layer of the leaf cuticle. Moreover the self-propelled droplets/condensate were able to remove contaminants (eg silica particles) from the leaf surface. The biological significance of this process ...
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    This study shows that condensation on the hierarchically structured lotus leaf can facilitate self-propulsion of water droplets off the surface. Droplets on leaves inclined at high angles can be completely removed from the surface by self-propulsion with the assistance of gravity. Due to the small size of mobile droplets, light breezes may also fully remove the propelled droplets, which are typically projected beyond the boundary layer of the leaf cuticle. Moreover the self-propelled droplets/condensate were able to remove contaminants (eg silica particles) from the leaf surface. The biological significance of this process may be associated with maintaining a healthy cuticle surface when the action of rain to clean the surface via the lotus effect is not possible (due to no precipitation). Indeed, the native lotus plants in this study were located in a region with extended time periods (several months) without rain. Thus, dew formation on the leaf may provide an alternative self-cleaning mechanism during times of drought and optimise the functional efficiency of the leaf surface as well as protecting the surface from long term exposure to pathogens such as bacteria and fungi.
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    Journal Title
    Biofouling
    Volume
    30
    Issue
    4
    DOI
    https://doi.org/10.1080/08927014.2014.880885
    Subject
    Environmental sciences
    Other environmental sciences not elsewhere classified
    Biological sciences
    Publication URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/10072/102437
    Collection
    • Journal articles

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