Internal structure of pitcher plant
Bokashi bucket
Paper mache mock up where i determined size, intially i had thought i would be hanging but later i gave a flat base so it would be sitting for extra stability.
The new material, which is called SLIPS (Slippery Liquid-Infused Porous Surface — yes, really), is actually inspired by the leaves of the carnivorous pitcher plant (Nepenthes, pictured above and below). The pitcher plant feeds on insects that fall into its “cup” (and are promptly digested), but these insects have oily, sticky feet (which allows them to happily sit on your bedroom wall). To make insects slip from the rim of the plant into the cup, the rim of the pitcher plant has evolved a surface with microscopic bumps that trap tiny drops of water — and the water repels the insect’s oily feet, sending it tumbling into the planet’s syrupy digestive juices.
The researchers simply took a nano-textured substrate (Teflon in this case), poured on some 3M Fluorinert FC-70 liquid [PDF]… and that seems to be it. The liquid settled into (and was trapped by) the substrate, and thus a SLIPS was formed. The layer of lubricant is so thin (a few nanometers) that the material still feels dry, and Fluorinert is chemically stable and unreactive so it can be used for almost any purpose. The researchers report that SLIPS can repel crude oil and hydrocarbons, water, blood, or… finger grease!
Really liking the idea and its biomimicry! In terms of improvements the color scheme should be change to be more suited with its environment
ReplyDeleteI really like the level of detail shown by your research. It lends a lot of credibility to your design, and shows that your choice of the pitcher plant is not just informed by the form of the pitcher plant, but also the function. Really nice presentation also.
ReplyDelete