Inspired By Flammulina Velutipes, Materials With Better Hydrophobicity Have Been Developed.

According to foreign media reports, researchers have already modeled waterproof materials on lotus leaf structure. However, now a group of researchers led by Paul Leu, an associate professor of University of Pittsburgh, inspired by Flammulina velutipes, created a flexible optical plastic with better hydrophobicity.

This material uses the form of benzene two formic acid glycol ester (PET) to deposit a thin layer of high and thin nano structure on the surface, with round spots on the top. Flammulina velutipes also has long and thin stems, with a large round cap on top.

The nano enoki PET is spanparent, and water, milk, ketchup, coffee and olive oil can be slipped from its surface. Even after 5000 bending cycles, these combinatorial qualities still exist and make materials ideal for solar cells and LED, and even for wearable electronic devices or flexible lighting.

The super hydrophobic properties of this material may also make plastics an ideal choice for medical devices that prevent bacterial colonization and blood coagulation. Moreover, the production process can be expanded, so it is not limited to making laboratory samples.

"Nano Flammulina velutipes shape capture the air barrier between the liquid and the surface," Paul Leu said. "The liquid eventually contacts less than 5% of the structure. Therefore, liquid is easy to fall or peel off after drying. "

Researchers recently published a paper on the research in Journal of Materials Chemistry A. The paper is co authored by Sajad Haghanifar, Anthony Galante, David Pekker and Paul Leu from Swanson Institute of engineering and Luke M. Tomasovic of Georgia Institute of Technology.