ABSTRACT

Nature has developed unique strategies to refine and optimise structural performance. Using surfaces designed at multiple length scales, from micro to nano levels, combined with complex chemistries, different natural organisms can exhibit similar wetting but different adhesion to liquids under specific environments. These biological surfaces have inspired researchers to develop new approaches to control surface wetting and liquid behaviour via surface adhesion. Here we review natural strategies to control the interaction of liquids with solid surfaces and the efforts to implement these strategies in synthetic materials designed to work in either atmospheric or underwater environment. Particular attention is paid to droplet behaviour on the special-adhesion surfaces in nature and artificial smart surfaces. We highlight recent progress, identify the common threads, and discuss the fundamental differences in a way that can help formulate rational approaches towards surface engineering, and identify current challenges as well as future directions for the field.

摘要

Nature 制定了独特的策略来改进和优化结构性能。使用从微米级到纳米级的多个长度尺度设计的表面，结合复杂的化学成分，不同的自然生物在特定环境下可以表现出相似的润湿性，但对液体的附着力不同。这些生物表面激发了研究人员开发通过表面粘附控制表面润湿和液体行为的新方法。在这里，我们回顾了控制液体与固体表面相互作用的自然策略，以及在设计用于大气或水下环境的合成材料中实施这些策略的努力。特别关注自然和人造智能表面的特殊粘附表面上的液滴行为。我们强调最近的进展，