Biomimicry: The Lotus Flower

The "Bio"



The lotus flower, though it grows in muddy lakes and ponds, has been found to have a remarkable adaptation for repelling dirt: the texture of the leaves. These leaves are waxy, with tiny hairs and bumps that prevent dirt from adhering to the surface. Instead, the moisture collected on the leaves beads up and runs down the waxy surface, taking the dirt and debris with it. The combination of structure and gravity allows the flower to remain clean and debris-free, without using any energy to do so.


A German company named ISPO has mimicked the Lotus flower's repellent strategy by introducing an exterior house paint that reproduces the surface features of the flower.

The "Mimic"

The product, Lotusan, has introduced a paint brand that is engineered to replicate the surface texture of the Lotus flower, reducing the ability for dirt and microbes to adhere to the painted surface.


The Structure:


The tiny bumps that make up the texture of Lotusan paint prevent adhesion of dirt and microbes. The product itself is eco-friendly, safe for workers to apply, retains its color, and still allows the substrate to "breathe", by not trapping vapor beneath the surface layer. It is extremely water repellent, aiding in the primary function of keeping a surface clean with minimal effort.


What problems does it solve?


Water Usage: It is "recommended that you clean your home's exterior once a year" to eliminate dust and the nutrients it contains which promote microorganism colonization (ecosalon.com)

• The average home requires 300-500 gallons of water to pressure-wash. (source: professional painter)

Microorganism prevention: Many molds produce dangerous spores, and those molds are often found adhering to standard exterior paint or unpainted surfaces.

• Applied Lotusan was exposed to mold for a period of 28 days, with no mold growth observed (Product Bulletin, 2015).

Weather Resistance: Painting a home can be expensive, and can be required more often depending upon region-typical weather patterns, temperature, and precipitation type.

• Applied Lotusan paint was exposed to "accelerated weathering" tests for 2,000 hours, with no deleterious effects (Product Bulletin, 2015). 

Substrate Variability: Building materials can vary per home. With more building options and preferences available, an all-in-one paint solution is optimal for both budget constraints and continuity of eco-friendly building solutions.

• Lotusan can be used for concrete, stucco, masonry, EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finishing System, often a composite material), and wood surfaces, with the aid of an appropriate primer (Product Bulletin, 2015).

For more information on Lotusan paint and Lotus-Effect technology, please follow the following links for general information and product specifics.

http://ecosalon.com/eco-friendly-house-paint-self-cleaning-lotus-flower/

http://www.stocorp.com/wp-content/themes/stocorp/alfresco-enterprise-file-transfer-receiver/ftr-root/Products_TechService/Coatings/Product%20Bulletins/PB_80217_StoCoat_Lotusan_EN.pdf