Design of Hierarchically Sculptured Biological Surfaces with Anti-adhesive Properties

In many plant species sophisticated functions such as water repellence, reduction of particle adhesion and reduction of insect attachment are correlated to a hierarchically sculptured surface design. One prominent example is given by the hierarchically sculptured, self-cleaning surface of the lotus leave (Nelumbo nucifera). In plants hierarchy of surfaces is often realized by combining microstructures with superimposed selfassembled nanostructures. Such functional biological surfaces are of great interest for the development of biomimetic self-cleaning materials. Examples of superhydrophobic plant surfaces are introduced here, and their hierarchical surface sculptures and existing and potential use of their properties in artificial materials are shown.