Development of high-tech waterproof coating for boats

Engineers working at Ohio State University, USA, have developed a high-tech waterproof coating for ships and submarines, inspired by a floating weed, which clogs the canals all over the world.

The Salvinia molesta Brazil's ferns have grown strongly throughout the Americas and Australia, partly because the surface of this fern has dotted with oddly shaped hairs that act like a trap gas, reduces friction and helps this plant float on the water.

The results of this study were published in "The Journal of Colloid and Interface Science". The researchers recreated the structure, like a rug made of eggbeater-like filaments.

In nature, air pockets are trapped in the hairs on the surface of the Salvinia molesta fern, which reduces friction and helps the plant float on the water, while a sticky area at the top of the head, the eggbeater-shaped microfiber threads will provide stable water buoyancy capability for boats and submarines.

"It is the combination of smooth and sticky surfaces that form the structure of this special high-tech waterproof coating , " said Bharat Bhushan, professor of mechanical engineering, Ohio State University, USA. .

"The leaves of Salvinia molesta ferns are an excellent mixed structure. Surfaces of hairs have natural waterproof properties, they are essentially covered with waxed material, which works to prevent water from touching the leaves and traps of air underneath carrying the eggbeater shape at the top, the air is trapped causing this Salvinia molesta fern floating on the water " , Bharat Bhushan added.

"However, the tips of these hairs are water-repellent. They come in contact with water in a very small area, which has kept the Salvinia molesta fern, capable of floating on the water surface. ".

Professor Bharat Bhushan and the Hunt Fellows have compared the adhesion of high-tech waterproofing coatings to that of the Salvinia molesta fern in nature using an atomic force microscope. The two surfaces are nearly identical, with the result: high-tech waterproofing coatings, which create a cohesive force reaching 201 nanonewtons and leaves of Salvinia molesta ferns in nature creating a cohesive force 207 nanonewtons.

This is a very small sticky force when compared to familiar adhesives, such as transparent tape or masking tape.

For commercial purposes, high-tech waterproof coatings for ships and submarines will work to reduce drag, enhance buoyancy and stability of boats and submarines, Bharatan Bhushan said. .