International. Recreating the hydrorepelling effect of certain carnivorous plants (pitcher plant), scientists at Harvard University developed a new coating that repels any type of liquid, including water, oils and blood in extreme conditions such as high pressure or zero temperature.
The coating has useful applications in sectors such as fuel transport, biomedical fluid control, antifouling and anti-icing technologies, optical devices and windows.
"Inspired by the carnivorous plant, we developed a new coating that surpasses its organic and synthetic counterparts, and offers a simple and versatile solution for liquid and solid repellency," said Joanna Aizenberg, principal investigator of the project.
Despite the fact that there are similar coatings on the market, which use the principle of the lotus leaf (resistance to water by microtextures that form a kind of air cushion), that technology does not work well for organic or complex liquids. To that is added that if the surface where the coating was applied is damaged or subjected to extreme conditions, the liquid droplets tend to stay or penetrate the surfaces, instead of rolling.
The difference then between the lotus and the carnivorous plant is that instead of using air and nano structures to repel water, the latter forms a layer of water that becomes a smooth coating on top; that is, the liquid itself becomes a repellent agent. "The effect is similar to that of a seaplane converts water into tires that allow it to slide without sinking," said the researcher.
It is still unknown when this technology will be on the market, as researchers are still processing the patent.
