The Asian watermoss is an aquatic fern with leaves about the same size as a penny. Like sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera), water runs off the watermoss leaves, but microscopic analysis shows a completely different mechanism of action: in the watermoss, specialised structures each hold a tiny air bubble. When its leaves are completely submerged, they retain a layer of air over their entire surface.
‘Salvinia effect’ surfaces have great potential to be used as drag-reducing coatings. A layer of air on the surface of an object moving through water reduces the friction between the two, and a ‘Salvinia effect’ coating has been shown to reduce friction by over 30%. If applied to ships, such coatings could reduce their fuel use. ‘Salvinia effect’ surfaces are also extremely good at absorbing oil from the surface of water, and are being investigated as materials to help clean up oil spills.
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