Water-repellent ship coatings

About the Product

Company: Nees Institute of Biodiversity of Plants, University of Bonn
Product Phase: Concept
Product Type: Superhydrophobic coating

Inspiring Strategy

Leaves retain air films underwater: water fern >

Product or process

Structural design of water fern leaf surfaces may be mimicked to create superhydrophobic coatings for ships and other technological surfaces. Such coatings could significantly reduce friction and drag forces on ships, thus decreasing fuel consumption.

Differences from existing products

(from company website)

"...the suitability of the biomimetic prototype for drag reduction was tested: in a large-scale-study the drag of a ship model was reduced by up to 10%."

The biomimicry story

The leaves of Salvinia ferns. when submerged in water, are able to surround themselves with a layer of air to prevent water from touching the plant's surface. This is accomplished with the use of tiny hydrophobic hairs covering the leaf surfaces. The tips of these hairs are hydrophilic, serving to 'staple' the water to the plant at various intervals, assuring that the layer of air created by the hydrophobic surfaces is maintained.