Wouldn't it be wonderful if you only had to clean windows, showers, awnings or other surfaces every now and then and at the same time a water-repellent effect would protect tents, outdoor clothing and other textiles from moisture and humidity? Nature lives and shows us how. Now it's up to us to use this miracle and implement it in a natural way. We're talking about the so-called lotus effect. Copied from nature and implemented by bionics, nano-seals and biological impregnation sprays that imitate a lotus effect using environmentally friendly ingredients make everyday life easier for us. But what is a lotus effect, where does it come from and how can we use it?
What is a lotus effect?
The lotus effect, also known as the lotus effect, is the minimal wettability of a surface. This natural phenomenon can be seen particularly well in the lotus flower of the same name, which uses the self-cleaning process to protect itself from pathogens such as fungal spores and bacteria. In addition, the natural effect prevents dust and dirt particles on the surface from blocking sunlight and photosynthesis.
Nature has designed it in such a way that the water drops roll off the plant's enormous shield-shaped leaves and at the same time take with them all the dirt particles that are on the surface. The leaves are therefore always immaculately clean, even though the plant is growing on a muddy surface. The micro- and nanoscopic structure of the leaf surface is responsible for this. It ensures that dirt particles have a harder time settling.
But not only Lotus, also other plants and animals such as the nasturtium (Tropaeolu), white cabbage (Brassica oleracea) and reed (Phramitites) exhibit this effect. The effect is also clearly visible on the flight organs of some insect species (dragonflies) and on the plumage of birds. Without the effect, they would lose the ability to use their wings as a means of locomotion in damp and wet conditions.
The lotus effect was discovered by Wilhelm Barthlott. Since then, it has been integrated into countless everyday products. These include car paints, facade paints and textile coatings. Impregnation sprays also benefit from it.
How does the lotus effect work?
All liquids, including water, strive to take on a minimal volume, i.e. the shape of a drop or a sphere. This is where forces come into play that are known as the surface tension of the liquid. In practice, this means that when drops of water hit the leaf of the lotus flower, the attractive forces cause the liquid to stick to the surface.
Regarding the attraction of the molecules, a distinction is made between two groups:
- Hydrophilic surfaces: They attract water molecules.
- Hydrophobic surfaces: They repel water.
The leaf structure of the lotus flower consists of countless tiny bumps with air between them. If a drop of water hits the leaf surface, it only has a very small surface area and, due to the minimal surface tension, forms tiny beads that do not melt but flow off in the form of drops. The attraction between the dirt particles and the leaf surface is therefore very low. This means that hydrophobic dirt does not stick, but is carried away along with the liquid. The positive effect: the leaf is always free of dirt and always clean.
Lotus effect: How you can use it in everyday life!
Lotus technology is particularly useful for surfaces that are constantly exposed to moisture and humidity. Only surfaces that come into regular contact with water can benefit from the lotus effect. Otherwise, dirt cannot be washed off.
The lotus effect is used in the automotive industry, awnings, facade and wall paints, outdoor products and textiles. Some products are already available with the lotus effect. However, you should also be aware that the lotus effect does not last indefinitely. The self-cleaning process only works for a certain period of time and then has to be renewed. For outdoor products such as tents or functional clothing, this workswith waterproofing sprays such as the waterproofing spray/textile & waterproofing spray/tent from Emma Grünthat are based on the principle. What you should pay attention to when impregnating:
The right tent impregnation: Spray from Emma Grün has a natural lotus effect
Impregnation extends the life of your tent. It protects it from sun, dirt and water. As a thin layer that sits on the outer surface, the impregnation protection is a perfect shield against weather and environmental influences. A perfectly impregnated tent can be recognized by the fact that water drops roll off and the tent fabric does not get wet.
Most products are already supplied with a nano coating. Since this loses its protection after a certain time, it should be renewed at regular intervals. With the environmentally friendlyEmma Green Textile & Tent Impregnation, which makes the tent fabric water and dirt repellent with its natural ingredients, is ideal for this. These advantages await you:
The perfect UV protection:Unprotected tents can be recognized by the fact that the color fades and the fabric becomes porous. With perfect protection, the colors are preserved and the material of your tent is flexible and break-resistant.
The perfect rain protection:Because of the lotus effect, water immediately beads off when it rains, it cannot penetrate the fabric and the tent stays dry and does not get wet. This means that when you take it down, for example, you do not have to wait a long time to dry before you put it away for the next camping trip.
The perfect protection against dirt:The tent impregnation with the powerfulEmma Green Waterproofing Sprayprevents dirt and moisture from penetrating the tent fabric. Dirt particles either roll off or can be easily removed from the surface with a cloth. Another advantage: thanks to the perfect protective shield, even acidic bird droppings cannot harm your tent and mold formation is also not a problem thanks to a clean tent tarpaulin.
Did you know that more and more tents are made of Goretex? The waterproof material is designed in such a way that it not only does not let water through, but also allows water vapor to pass from the inside to the outside. Because our waterproofing spray does not stick to the material but allows it to breathe, it is also perfect as a waterproofing spray/Goretex.
How often should you waterproof a tent?
You can easily test whether your tent needs a new waterproofing treatment. All you have to do is wet your tent thoroughly with water using a garden hose. If the water runs off the entire surface, the protective shield is intact. If, however, you discover a film of water or, in the worst case, wet spots in the fabric, it is time to waterproof your tent again. Never wait too long to put up the protective shield naturally. Because only with the perfect protection will you be able to enjoy your tent for a long time.
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