Natural materials can provide inspiration for materials scientists. An example of such biomimicry is hydrophobic (water-repellent) paint (1) developed by studying and replicating natural objects, such as lotus leaves (2). A lotus leaf’s waxy coating and surface microstructures (3) make it nature’s best water repellant, keeping the leaf clean and free from fungi and other organisms.
Weak, short-range forces result from the attraction between oppositely charged regions of neighbouring molecules. These intermolecular forces determine many properties of liquids and solids. Forces between molecules within a substance are called cohesive forces, and those between different substances are adhesive forces. When adhesion between a liquid and solid is stronger than cohesion the liquid wets the solid surface. But when cohesion is stronger the liquid forms droplets, which minimise its surface area.
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