The Miracle of Self-cleaned Wall

Introduction

Biomimicry is the imitation of the models, systems, and elements of mother nature to find solutions to complex design problems. "Yet as we become more and more concerned about the environmental impact of our behaviour, biomimicry is becoming fashionable."(O'Connell, 2009) StoCoat Lotusan is a biomimicry product that already on the market that yield some big results. It duplicated the microstructure of the lotus leaf, to create self-cleaning wall surface.

StoCoat Lotusan

The conventional facades that exposed to the prevailing weather usually damp and dirty. StoCoat Lotusan is a facade paint that keeps walls clean and dry for longer, and therefore against algae, bacteria, and fungus to build up. It mimics the water repellent process discovered in the leaves of the lotus plant. "The fine structure of lotus leaf reduces the contact surface area water and dirt could cling to. Raindrops simply run off and take dirt with them."(StoLotusan Color, n.d.) StoCoat Lotusan is the first product that has incorporated the technical attributes of the lotus-effect. "It is available in various colour and could be applied to mineral, cementitious and concrete surfaces."  (StoLotusan Color, n.d.)

The microstructure of a lotus leaf at 7000 x magnification

The successful transfer of the lotus-effect into StoLotusan Colour.

Lotus Effect

the Lotus-Effect developed by botanist Dr. Wilhelm Barthlott. As mentioned above. It is about the self-cleaning system of the lotus leaf. "Scientists have discovered that this is because the surface of each leaf contains nanometer-sized waxy bumps that prevent dirt and water from adhering. Because the valleys between the bumps are too small for dirt particles to get into, the dirt stays suspended on the tops of the bumps. When a water droplet falls on the leaf, it is also suspended on top of the waxy bumps."(Nye, n.d.) Therefore, this "nano-mountain" structure is possible could be used to make all kinds of self-cleaning and non-stick material. StoLotusan paint is one successful example.

Analysis

I always think nature contains profound and genius precedents for creation. “If you look at all the creations that have gone extinct versus all that are still alive today, it’s a tenth of one percent,” (Benyus, 2002) Because of the nature selection process, the remains must have the best solution against the outer circumstance, and also work with the ecosystem. Nature could lead us to come up with inventive designs and productive, successful collaborations."Imitating natural systems is about trying to mimic the amazing effectiveness of ecosystems, where the waste from one system or animal is used as the nutrients for another," says Michael Pawlyn. we could learn a lot about sustainable and environmentally friendly design from nature. StoLotusan paint is one of the examples that borrow the self-efficient cleaning system from nature and therefore walls could last longer and look nicer.

I also realized that, while designing products or buildings,  it is important to think out of the things you are making and consider the influence it may cause to surrounding in a larger time frame like nature do.


Reference

Benyus, J. (2002). Biomimicry. 1st ed. New York: Perennial.

Nye, J. (n.d.). Lotus Leaf Effect Part 1: In Nature Part 2: In Technology. University of Wisconsin-Madison

O'Connell, S. (2009). Biomimicry: why the world is full of intelligent design. [online] Telegraph.co.uk. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/5479418/Biomimicry-why-the-world-is-full-of-intelligent-design.html [Accessed 21 Dec. 2016].

StoLotusan Color - The unique facade paint that keeps walls clean and dry for longer. (n.d.). 1st ed. [ebook] Sto Ltd. Available at: http://www.p3.co.uk/collateral/StoLotusan_Colour.pdf [Accessed 20 Dec. 2016].

Learning from nature | Michael Pawlyn | TEDxLondonCity2.0. (2016). [video].