Nature’s unique solutions to problematic natural phenomena can serve as a source of bio-inspiration for material science.
The microstructure of plant surfaces; combining cuticle structures and epicuticular wax crystals in a hierarchal structure; serve multiple different functions such as transport barriers, surface wettability, anti-adhesive and self-cleaning, radiation protection, and many more. A systematic approach to the study of such natural structures, their evolution throughout the different stages of plant growth, and their mechanisms of damage repair and self-healing can greatly help our ability to mimic these properties and apply them to solving a variety of technical challenges.
Observation of the leaves, stems, thorns, and flowers of many different plan species has shown a variety of behaviors when in contact with water from extremely low wettability to high wettability. By studying the microstructures of the different parts of these plants, and the changes in the microstructure of their surfaces throughout the plant’s growth and after being damaged, we can learn about the wax crystal growth mechanisms and in so contribute to finding engineering solutions for self-cleaning and self-repairing super hydrophobic surfaces.
