Learning from nature-polymer surfaces with a nano structure that utilise the Lotus-Effect and clean themselves

Author(s):  
M. Oles ◽  
E. Nun ◽  
G. Dambacher ◽  
B. Schleich
2011 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 152-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans J Ensikat ◽  
Petra Ditsche-Kuru ◽  
Christoph Neinhuis ◽  
Wilhelm Barthlott

Lotus leaves have become an icon for superhydrophobicity and self-cleaning surfaces, and have led to the concept of the ‘Lotus effect’. Although many other plants have superhydrophobic surfaces with almost similar contact angles, the lotus shows better stability and perfection of its water repellency. Here, we compare the relevant properties such as the micro- and nano-structure, the chemical composition of the waxes and the mechanical properties of lotus with its competitors. It soon becomes obvious that the upper epidermis of the lotus leaf has developed some unrivaled optimizations. The extraordinary shape and the density of the papillae are the basis for the extremely reduced contact area between surface and water drops. The exceptional dense layer of very small epicuticular wax tubules is a result of their unique chemical composition. The mechanical robustness of the papillae and the wax tubules reduce damage and are the basis for the perfection and durability of the water repellency. A reason for the optimization, particularly of the upper side of the lotus leaf, can be deduced from the fact that the stomata are located in the upper epidermis. Here, the impact of rain and contamination is higher than on the lower epidermis. The lotus plant has successfully developed an excellent protection for this delicate epistomatic surface of its leaves.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 1460-1468
Author(s):  
Khalid Faisal Sultan ◽  
Mohammed Hassan Jabal ◽  
Ameer Abed Jaddoa

The aim of this article was to examine the effect of hybrid nano – coating that could potentially impact the enhancement of heat transfer coefficient of distilled water, Reynolds number, and temperature through a swirl heat exchanger, as well as the indicator of the effect Zeta voltage in the coating process. In this experimental work, type of coating used was Aluminum (Al) + Aluminum oxide Al2O3. Outcomes of study showed that the coating of heat exchanger is much better than without coating in improving the thermal properties for liquids passing through heat exchanger as well as increasing the heat exchange through the surface of the exchanger. Results in the article indicated that the use of hybrid nano – structure coating is for inducing the feature of super – hydrophobicity for the surface that touches the fluid included within the heating transferring. Such feature can make an increase in the heating transferring factor and a decreasing in power losing produced via friction. This article indicated that the Zeta voltage analysis is to show the stability of the hybrid nanofluids used in the coating process. The enhanced technology depends upon the concept that exists in nature under the name “Lotus effect” to get super-hydrophobic surfaces. The rate of improvement in heat transfer using hybrid nanoparticles is 33% compared to that without coating condition.


Author(s):  
L.H. Bolz ◽  
D.H. Reneker

The attack, on the surface of a polymer, by the atomic, molecular and ionic species that are created in a low pressure electrical discharge in a gas is interesting because: 1) significant interior morphological features may be revealed, 2) dielectric breakdown of polymeric insulation on high voltage power distribution lines involves the attack on the polymer of such species created in a corona discharge, 3) adhesive bonds formed between polymer surfaces subjected to such SDecies are much stronger than bonds between untreated surfaces, 4) the chemical modification of the surface creates a reactive surface to which a thin layer of another polymer may be bonded by glow discharge polymerization.


Author(s):  
Bruno Schueler ◽  
Robert W. Odom

Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) provides unique capabilities for elemental and molecular compositional analysis of a wide variety of surfaces. This relatively new technique is finding increasing applications in analyses concerned with determining the chemical composition of various polymer surfaces, identifying the composition of organic and inorganic residues on surfaces and the localization of molecular or structurally significant secondary ions signals from biological tissues. TOF-SIMS analyses are typically performed under low primary ion dose (static SIMS) conditions and hence the secondary ions formed often contain significant structural information.This paper will present an overview of current TOF-SIMS instrumentation with particular emphasis on the stigmatic imaging ion microscope developed in the authors’ laboratory. This discussion will be followed by a presentation of several useful applications of the technique for the characterization of polymer surfaces and biological tissues specimens. Particular attention in these applications will focus on how the analytical problem impacts the performance requirements of the mass spectrometer and vice-versa.


Author(s):  
Quintin J. Lai ◽  
Stuart L. Cooper ◽  
Ralph M. Albrecht

Thrombus formation and embolization are significant problems for blood-contacting biomedical devices. Two major components of thrombi are blood platelets and the plasma protein, fibrinogen. Previous studies have examined interactions of platelets with polymer surfaces, fibrinogen with platelets, and platelets in suspension with spreading platelets attached to surfaces. Correlative microscopic techniques permit light microscopic observations of labeled living platelets, under static or flow conditions, followed by the observation of identical platelets by electron microscopy. Videoenhanced, differential interference contrast (DIC) light microscopy permits high-resolution, real-time imaging of live platelets and their interactions with surfaces. Interference reflection microscopy (IRM) provides information on the focal adhesion of platelets on surfaces. High voltage, transmission electron microscopy (HVEM) allows observation of platelet cytoskeletal structure of whole mount preparations. Low-voltage, high resolution, scanning electron microscopy allows observation of fine surface detail of platelets. Colloidal gold-labeled fibrinogen, used to identify the Gp Ilb/IIIa membrane receptor for fibrinogen, can be detected in all the above microscopies.


1985 ◽  
Vol 54 (04) ◽  
pp. 842-848 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kandice Kottke-Marchant ◽  
James M Anderson ◽  
Albert Rabinovitch ◽  
Richard A Huskey ◽  
Roger Herzig

SummaryHeparin is known to affect platelet function in vitro, but little is known about the effect of heparin on the interaction of platelets with polymer surfaces in general, and vascular graft materials in particular. For this reason, the effect of heparin vs. citrate anticoagulation on the interaction of platelets with the vascular graft materials expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), Dacron Bionit (DB) and preclotted Dacron Bionit (DB/PC) was studied in a recirculating, in vitro perfusion system. Platelet activation, as shown by a decrease in platelet count, an increase in platelet release and a decrease in platelet aggregation, was observed for all vascular graft materials tested using heparin and was greater for Dacron and preclotted Dacron than for ePTFE. Significant differences between heparin and citrate anticoagulation were seen for platelet release, platelet aggregation and the relative ranking of material platelet-reactivity. However, the trends and time course of platelet activation were similar with both heparin and citrate for the materials tested.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 4671-4677 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Abdelghany ◽  
A.H. Oraby ◽  
Awatif A Hindi ◽  
Doaa M El-Nagar ◽  
Fathia S Alhakami

Bimetallic nanoparticles of silver (Ag) and gold (Au) were synthesized at room temperature using Curcumin. Reduction process of silver and gold ions with different molar ratios leads to production of different nanostructures including alloys and core-shells. Produced nanoparticles were characterized simultaneously with FTIR, UV/vis. spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDAX). UV/vis. optical absorption spectra of as synthesized nanoparticles reveals presence of surface palsmon resonance (SPR) of both silver at (425 nm) and gold at (540 nm) with small shift and broadness of gold band after mixing with resucing and capping agent in natural extract which suggest presence of bimetallic nano structure (Au/Ag). FTIR and EDAX data approve the presence of bimetallic nano structure combined with curcumin extract. TEM micrographs shows that silver and gold can be synthesized separately in the form of nano particles using curcumin extract. Synthesis of gold nano particles in presence of silver effectively enhance and control formation of bi-metallic structure.


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