Flotation in turbulent waters: Heteropterid bugs

1 of 1 Water strider standing on water / kiisseli / License

Water insects maintain flotation in turbulent waters thanks to an undersurface coating of water-repellent hairs.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Modify >
	Modify chemical/electrical state >
	Surface tension

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Increased stability of watercraft in turbulent conditions Water repellant fibers

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"Among the most superficially aquatic and numerous insects of freshwater areas are various Heteropterid bugs, such as pond-skaters, water-measurers and water-crickets. lnsects like these seldom even get their feet wet since they are able to stride or run over the water's surface by using its surface tension, in which they scarcely make a dent. Since all of the bugs' life is spent in this way, they need no special adaptations for an aquatic habitat, apart from an undersurface of water-repellent hairs which prevents immersion in turbulent conditions." (Wootton 1984:132)

"Recent studies showed that the most crucial criterion [for achieving the 'Lotus Effect'] mainly relies on roughening the surface into multiple length scales of roughness so that liquid droplets can be retained in the Cassie-Baxter state, where air pockets are trapped underneath the liquid, reducing the solid-liquid interface. These hierarchically structured surfaces have been fabricated through various routes and demonstrated to have superhydrophobic properties as well. This amazing water-repellent property is also found in other biological systems comprising a plurality of flexible hairs, and some of them have been recognized for over 100 years. Fuzzy leaves, such as the Lady’s Mantle, cause water droplets to form perfect spheres and allow them to roll off easily as a result of being lifted and suspended by coming into contact with the hairs. In the animal kingdom, this piliferous exterior plays a more crucial role for numerous living creatures not only to effectively protect their bodies from getting wet but also to provide various functions for their living activity. These hairs protrude several micrometers from their cuticles, typically inclined at certain angles, with diameters in the micrometer to submicrometer range. These structures can resist the impact of raindrops, allow locomotion on the surface of water, or even trap a layer of air for respiration when submerged. Some arthropods have been shown to have contact angles above 150^o, which allows them to walk on water." (Hsu and Sigmund 2010:1504)

About the inspiring organism

Hemiptera
Hemiptera

Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Increased stability of watercraft in turbulent conditions. Emergency rafts and other safety devices that may be used in turbulent waters.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Transportation, Emergency equipment

Self-cleaning surface - Superhydrophobic coating

Experts

The Sigmund Group: Nanotechnology, Surface Forces, Applied Colloid Science, and Advanced Materials Processing
Wolfgang M. Sigmund
University of Florida

References

Wootton, A. 1984. Insects of the World. Blandford. 224 p.

Hsu S-H; Sigmund WM. 2010. Artificial hairy surfaces with a nearly perfect hydrophobic response. Langmuir. 26(3): 1504-1506.

Nature's Raincoats. Nottingham Trent University, University of Oxford.
http://www.naturesraincoats.com/index.html.

Flotation in turbulent waters: Heteropterid bugs

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