Since the Lotus-effect is solely based physico-chemically and is not bound to a living system, a self-cleaning surface can be technically manufactured.
The materials for such new coatings are available. Until today, however, the contradictory demand for rough surfaces as a basis for a clean surfaces was ignored. Still scientific investigation and industry have made intensive efforts to develop dirt-repellent or self cleaning surfaces. Some materials allow the production of coatings with hydrophobic and oleophobic properties. They are thus neither wettable nor can they get oil-slicked, and can be called ultraphobic. Possible fields for application are facade paints, roof tiles, textiles and the rich field of coatings. If application is successfully managed, the Lotus-effect surely is one of the most impressing examples of biomimicy of the last years.
Figure 1: Facade paint, self-cleaning with rainfall thanks to the Lotus-effect®.
