LOTUS EFFECT
February 1st, 2003
BY JONATHAN THOMSON
SCIENTISTS have developed a spray that allows surfaces to become self-cleaning. German chemical company BASF is working on the coating to stop dirt clinging to leather, textiles and paper. The spray is based around the "lotus effect'' - water on lotus leaves form beads which simply roll off. In the same fashion the spray repels water and stops dust and grime sticking. The spray is reported to be more than 20 times more repellent than a smooth wax coating.
SCIENTISTS have developed a spray that allows surfaces to become self-cleaning. German chemical company BASF is working on the coating to stop dirt clinging to leather, textiles and paper. The spray is based around the "lotus effect'' - water on lotus leaves form beads which simply roll off. In the same fashion the spray repels water and stops dust and grime sticking. The spray is reported to be more than 20 times more repellent than a smooth wax coating.
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