A multi-structural and multi-functional integrated fog collection system in cactus
TLDR
This unique system is composed of well-distributed clusters of conical spines and trichomes on the cactus stem; each spine contains three integrated parts that have different roles in the fog collection process according to their surface structural features.Abstract:
Multiple biological structures have demonstrated fog collection abilities, such as beetle backs with bumps and spider silks with periodic spindle-knots and joints. Many Cactaceae species live in arid environments and are extremely drought-tolerant. Here we report that one of the survival systems of the cactus Opuntia microdasys lies in its efficient fog collection system. This unique system is composed of well-distributed clusters of conical spines and trichomes on the cactus stem; each spine contains three integrated parts that have different roles in the fog collection process according to their surface structural features. The gradient of the Laplace pressure, the gradient of the surface-free energy and multi-function integration endow the cactus with an efficient fog collection system. Investigations of the structure-function relationship in this system may help us to design novel materials and devices to collect water from fog with high efficiencies.read more
Citations
More filters
Journal ArticleDOI
Bioinspired Surfaces with Superwettability: New Insight on Theory, Design, and Applications
TL;DR: Design, and Applications Shutao Wang,“, Kesong Liu, Xi Yao, and Lei Jiang*,†,‡,§ †Laboratory of Bio-inspired Smart Interface Science, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, and ‡Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Science.
Journal ArticleDOI
Nature-inspired superwettability systems
TL;DR: In this paper, the historical development, new phenomena and emerging applications of superwettability systems are discussed and a review of the superwetability properties of interfacial materials is presented.
Journal ArticleDOI
Bioinspired Interfaces with Superwettability: From Materials to Chemistry
TL;DR: The evolution of superwettable materials is introduced, and the fundamental rules for building these superwetting materials will be discussed, followed by a summary of recent progress in the application of superWettability materials to alter the behaviors of chemical reactants and products.
Journal ArticleDOI
Continuous directional water transport on the peristome surface of Nepenthes alata
Huawei Chen,Pengfei Zhang,Liwen Zhang,Hongliang Liu,Y. Jiang,Deyuan Zhang,Zhiwu Han,Lei Jiang,Lei Jiang +8 more
TL;DR: It is found that continuous, directional water transport occurs on the surface of the ‘peristome’—the rim of the pitcher—because of its multiscale structure, which optimizes and enhances capillary rise in the transport direction, and prevents backflow by pinning in place any water front that is moving in the reverse direction.
Journal ArticleDOI
Condensation on slippery asymmetric bumps
Kyoo-Chul Park,Philseok Kim,Alison Grinthal,Neil He,David A. Fox,James C. Weaver,Joanna Aizenberg,Joanna Aizenberg +7 more
TL;DR: In this paper, a design approach based on principles derived from Namib desert beetles, cacti, and pitcher plants is proposed to maximize vapour diffusion flux at the apex of convex millimetric bumps by optimizing the radius of curvature and cross-sectional shape.
References
More filters
Journal ArticleDOI
Super-hydrophobic surfaces: From natural to artificial
Lin Feng,Shuhong Li,Yingshun Li,Huanjun Li,Lingjuan Zhang,Jin Zhai,Yanlin Song,Biqian Liu,Lei Jiang,Daoben Zhu +9 more
TL;DR: In this article, a super-hydrophobic surface with both a large contact angle (CA) and a small sliding angle (α) has been constructed from carbon nanotubes.
Journal ArticleDOI
Biophysics: Water-repellent legs of water striders
Xuefeng Gao,Lei Jiang +1 more
TL;DR: It is shown that it is the special hierarchical structure of the legs, which are covered by large numbers of oriented tiny hairs (microsetae) with fine nanogrooves, that is more important in inducing this water resistance.
Journal ArticleDOI
Bioinspired surfaces with special wettability
TL;DR: Recent progress in wettability on functional surfaces is reviewed through the cooperation between the chemical composition and the surface micro- and nanostructures, which may bring great advantages in a wide variety of applications in daily life, industry, and agriculture.
Journal ArticleDOI
Directional water collection on wetted spider silk
TL;DR: Artificial fibres are designed that mimic the structural features of silk and exhibit its directional water-collecting ability by tapping into both driving forces.