[Environment Report]:Water-Resistant Material Copies Lotus Plant


This is the VOA Special English Environment Report.

Lotus plants and the pure white flower they produce havespiritual meaning in some Asian religions. The lotus has alsoappealed to scientists for its ability to resist water and stayclean. Now, Turkish scientists say they have discovered a low-costway to make a plastic material that acts like the lotus.

The Turkish group studied the chemical structure of leaves fromthe plant called the sacred lotus. They wanted to recreate theability of lotus leaves to resist water.

Water drops normally flatten and spread out when they fall on asurface. But the rough surface of lotus leaves prevents this fromhappening. When water drops hit the surface of the lotus leaf, theystay round. As a result, the water drops roll off the leaves. Dirtrolls off with the water. That makes the plant self-cleaning.

The Turkish scientists say the process they developed is easy toreproduce. They believe it could have many uses in the future. Thewater-resistant substance could be added to the outsides ofairplanes. This could help prevent the formation of ice on the wingsin winter. Heavy ice is a serious danger for airplanes. Thesubstance could be put on ships to help them break through icywaters more easily.

The scientists say the protective covering they created couldalso be used to keep water off clothing. It could protect antennasfrom snow and ice. These can interfere with the operation of radiosand other electronic systems. It could even protect traffic signsfrom weather damage.

The Turkish group described its findings in a report in Sciencemagazine. The scientists are from Koc University in Istanbul andKocaeli University in Izmit. They created their material from asimple, common plastic. It is called isotactic polypropylene. Thescientists broke down this plastic with an organic solvent. Asolvent is a liquid that breaks down other substances.

Then, the researchers added other chemicals to the mixture. Theylet the liquid harden on a glass surface. The liquid formed a thinplastic. Under a microscope, this new plastic looks like acombination of sticks and balls. The scientists say water drops formsmall balls on the new plastic, just as they would on lotus leaves.

Other scientists have praised the findings of the Turkish team.They say the discovery shows a simple way to protect surfaces fromwater damage.

This VOA Special English Environment Report was written by GeorgeGrow.

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