| Biomimicry reveals nature’s impeccable structure-function synchronization inspiring scientists to design bio-inspired applications that achieve maximum performance with minimalistic resource exhaustion.This research thesis focuses on studying and replicating the Trandescantia pallida’s leaf unique wettability and complex structuring and then presenting the potential multifunctional surface applications.Here,T.pallida’s leaf morphology from the macroscale to the nanoscale is considered to play a pivotal role in its classification as an invasive species.The focus is on the adaxial side which demonstrates parahydrophobic wettability with a static contact angle of 165?.Parahydrophobic surfaces are popularly used for smart fluid control and water/fog collection applications.The study explored the T.pallida’s parahydrophobicity as an interplay of the physical and physio-chemical functions instead of solely classifying it on the contact angle.The experimental results identified the wetting state as the Cassie Impregnating regime and adhesion tests revealed that the trichomes present along the T.pallida surface also contribute in water harvesting.Hence,it was established from the experimental studies that the parahydrophobic surface and the trichomes harvest water and then channel them along the parallel grooves.Thereby,making it capable of surviving in any habitat it validates nature’s perfect unification of structure and function.Such multifunctional surfaces are a rarity in nature.Inspired,a replica is developed by a 2 step biotemplating method using diluted PDMS and pearl wool fibers to mimic the trichomes.Finally,inspired by the T.pallida a concept for an efficient dual way patterned water harvesting surface is presented.Moreover,the parahydrophobicity along the trichomes and parallel venation can also be used to design efficient smart fluid control interfaces,lab on a chip microvascular devices and collection systems in the future. |
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