The Amazing Human Heart!

The Human Heart is pretty amazing! It's the power house of our circulatory system. One muscle with four chambers that pumps about 1900 gallons of blood every single day!  That's pretty impressive considering that this vital organ only weighs about 10 ounces.  Don't let size fool you though, the heart's work goes a long way, literally!  The average adult human circulatory system can actually reach about 60,000 miles. That's enough to wrap around the Earth four times!! On top of all this, as if that were not impressive enough, the human heart will beat about 3 billion times in a full lifetime!  Pretty impressive! No wonder we all <3 the human heart!

The Amazing and Incredible Human Foot

Painter, inventor, scientist, and all around smart guy, Leonardo Da Vinci, once said: "The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art."
True that Leo!
Consider for a moment all the things the human foot does to make our lives more interesting.
Field goals, tap dancing, drum sets, ballet, marathons, soccer, skateboarding, driving, reaching for that top shelf in the kitchen, karate, and showing off mad dance skills at parties are all possible because of the human foot.  26 bones working together to accomplish some amazing achievements step by step!  Props to the human foot!

QUESTION YOUR WORLD - WATER YOU TALKING ABOUT?

Water we talking about?!?!? We're talking about two hydrogen atoms forged together with one oxygen atom. The merging of these two elements has been monumental to life as we know it here on Earth! Every person you know and most every single living thing on this planet needs water. For us humans, we need about 8-12 glasses of delicious fresh water. So, how much fresh water is there on this planet anyway? Well, most of the Earth is covered in water. A beautiful blue liquid carpet coats nearly 70% of the Earth's surface. Despite its abundance, we can't actually use all of that. We humans need fresh water (not salt water that seems to own the monopoly on our oceans). It's pretty amazing to consider that only 2.5% of all the water on our entire planet is useable for drinking. Oh but there's more! That 2.5% fresh water statistic is accurate, but not very useful for us considering that it factors in all the water that's frozen in ice, running below our feet, in the atmosphere, plants, and animals. So, what even smaller amount is useable by us? A little less than 0.4% of the water on this planet is available for all of us to use for drinking! That's right, the seven billion plus global population has to share a little less than 0.4% of the water on this planet,thus making it one of our most precious resources. So, I guess it’s true when we're told to turn off the tap when we're not using it, because that water is a very special part of this Earth and our lives and we certainly should not be wasting it.

Aside from keeping humans hydrated, water serves a few other important tasks. We need fresh water to grow all of our delicious foods! Everything from your morning coffee to your late night ice cream snack requires the use of this awesome substance, water! Also, don't forget, we're not alone...your pets, those birds you hear when you go outside, the animals you see on TV, and most any other critter needs the same thing that keeps us going, yep...you guessed it, water!

Some more info on this amazing and rare resource: water facts
Also, water's good for you!!: water for the body

QUESTION YOUR WORLD - the amazing BRAIN!!

How many different brains were involved in making it possible for you to read this blog entry? Whew! That's a tall order to even look into!

Think about all the amazing things the human brain has done, yet it's a pretty small organ. The brain takes up about 2% of your body mass, that's it! Despite its small size it sure does carry out a lot of vital functions that keep you going — such as: breathing, eating, walking, thinking, sleeping, sitting, showering, brushing your teeth, and so on...

The brain also uses up about 20% of the oxygen we take in!
On average a human brain is about 77% water!
The brain also works on about 20 watts of power (the same as a laptop or the bulb in your fridge)!
Need more brains? Here's more info on the brain!!
STILL need more brains?? ...even more info on your brain!!!

So since these things are so important, make sure you keep your brain safe!! Helmets are our friends!!

Question Your World - Question Your Coffee

Did you have any coffee today? A lot of people did. The United States moves about 400 million cups of coffee every day! Everything from intricate gourmet coffee to the basic cup of plain coffee. Even the basic cup of coffee is still very complex, holding over 1500 chemicals! The most familiar is caffeine, of course. It takes caffeine about 30 minutes to be fully absorbed by our bodies. Once in the bloodstream, it actually does enhance thought process and the body's capacity for physical activity.

Also, coffee contains antioxidants. Actually, Americans get more antioxidants from coffee than any other food or beverage!

Several studies have suggested that coffee may even reduce the risk of various diseases such as type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's!

For more coffee info check out this link: COFFEE also, check out some coffee-health-facts here, MORE COFFEE!!!

Question Your World - Do we really need that much water?

Simple answer, yes!

The human body does some pretty exceptional work, but in order for it to function at optimal capacity it needs to be properly hydrated. Water is essential for all life and it's no wonder that our bodies need it for both physical and mental functions.



Water helps regulate your temperature, lubricates joints and muscles, and digestion! But did you know that the amount of water you drink has a direct impact on your brain?!?!

A properly hydrated body will yield a brain that has a stronger memory capacity, a level temperament, and will increase motivation! A lack of water will cause the brain to get slightly hydrated and reduce the oxygen flow to the cerebral center. Some scientists have also hypothesized that a dehydrated body will also have some temporarily shrunk neurons and receptors!!

So, remember to get in a good amount of water everyday, its good for you!

Here's some more info on relationship of water and your body!
Water!
also...
So, how much water do you need??

Question Your World - Valentine's Day special! Mate for life!

So, we sure do celebrate loyalty, companionship, and romance on Valentine's Day. We're not the only species that shares similar sentiments. Did you know some animals also mate for life? Wolves and Termites are just two of the many animals that mate for life! Its good to know that there are strong bonds of loyalty from nuclear family mammals to insects that pine for one another.

Want more examples of animals that keep that one special main squeeze? Check this out! :Mate for life list!

QUESTION YOUR WORLD - COFFEE!!!!!

Did you have any coffee today? A lot of people did. The United States moves about 400 million cups of coffee every day! Everything from intricate gourmet coffee to the basic cup of plain coffee. Even the basic cup of coffee is still very complex, holding over 1500 chemicals! The most familiar is caffeine, of course. It takes caffeine about 30 minutes to be fully absorbed by our body. Once in the bloodstream, it actually does enhance thought process and the body's capacity for physical activity.

Also, coffee contains antioxidants. Actually, Americans get more antioxidants from cofee than any other food or beverage!

Several studies have suggested that coffee may even reduce the risk of various diseases such as type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's!

For more coffee info check out this link: COFFEE also, check out some coffee-health-facts here, MORE COFfEE!!!

Question Your World - Breathing

Question Your World - Breathing by ScienceMuseumofVA

Our bodies are pretty amazing and complex! A lot of the involuntary actions that we do every single second keep us alive and healthy. Breathing, for example, is one of the most basic functions of the human body. So, how often does a person do this? Well, on average about 15 times a minute! This varies based on activity level, but on average we are clocking in at around 15 breaths per minute. Check it out, do an experiment, try to count how many times you inhale/exhale in a minute. Try it while laying down, sitting up, walking, maybe even running.

QUESTION YOUR WORLD: Happy Halloween - priceless science

Hello boys and ghouls! Once again, the equinox has happened and daylight savings time has not ended yet, which means its time for Halloween!! Check out the video clip for some fun with Halloween numbers!

That's right $2 BILLION spent on candy each year for Halloween. What a sweet research project this was! For more information check out this link from the National Retail Federation, . They've studied up and surveyed a lot of information about what flies off the shelf around Halloween.

Also, all that candy means a lot of sugar in a lot of mouths! That's the tooth folks! Our teeth are pretty amazing actually. Check out some interesting facts on teeth for all of you that want to bite into this topic a bit more:

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/dentalhealth/Pages/Toothfacts.aspx


http://www.infobarrel.com/15_Facts_about_Teeth#axzz1bFadL861


http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112820/facts.html

Whoa! Sharks have about 40 sets of teeth in their lifetime? A Chinese dentist once built a tower out of 28,000 human teeth??
Chew on that for a while!

Lastly, be sure to spot an awesome science based costume this year!! They can be as simple as a scientist or as complex as an atom! .

Be safe and have fun out there! Happy Halloween from us here at the Science Museum of Virginia!

Question of the Week

Happy Valentine's Day!  Sure, Valentine's Day is about love and your significant other, but Valentine's Day is also about chocolate.  How much do you know about this delicious and tempting treat?

Which statement(s) below are true?
     a.  Chocolate causes cavities.
     b.  Chocolate causes acne.
     c.  Chocolate raises cholesterol levels.
     d.  Chocolate causes headaches.
     e.  Chocolate is addictive.
     f.  Chocolate lovers live longer.

Answer:  f is the only totally true statement in the list.

(a) Chocolate does not cause cavities by itself but the added sugar might. 
(b) Studies have shown that eating chocolate does not cause acne; in fact, doctors believe that acne may not be linked to diet at all. 
(c) Chocolate does not raise LDL (bad cholesterol) because the stearic acid in chocolate is a neutral fat that does not raise cholesterol levels. 
(d) A few studies show that migraine headaches may be triggered by chocolate, but there is little evidence that it causes other headaches (so if you answered d, you may count your answer correct).
(e) People claim to be addicted to chocolate, but there is no hard evidence that it is physically addicting.

(f) Eating chocolate may help you live longer.  A Harvard University study found that men who ate chocolate lived one year longer than those who didn't.  Scientists believe that chocolate contains chemicals that keep the blood vessels elastic, plus chocolate may increase beneficial antioxidants levels in the bloodstream.  So enjoy a candy bar every now and then - without guilt.

Question of the Week

What do you think of cold weather?  Polar bears love it!  Their thick fur coat covers a layer of insulating fat, allowing them to be quite comfortable in the frigid Arctic.

Why do you think polar bears walk at such a leisurely pace?

     a.  they are watching for thin ice

     b.  they are afraid of slipping on the ice

     c.  they get overheated when they run

     d.  they are too heavy to move faster 

Arctic Adventure, our new traveling exhibit, opens this Saturday, January 29.

Answer:  c.  they get overheated when they run.

Polar bears have more trouble with overheating than cold, especially when they run.  They are not terribly worried about falling through thin ice; they are strong swimmers and can swim for several hours in icy water.  Their feet are covered with small bumps called papillae to keep them from slipping on the ice. Even though polar bears are heavy (males weigh 500-1700 lbs. and females weigh 200-700 lbs), they can run as fast as a horse over short distances.

Question of the Week

Today is National Popcorn Day! 

Do you know why popcorn pops?

Answer:  Popcorn must have 2 important properties to pop:

• The moisture in each kernel must be close to 13.5%.
• The kernels must not be cracked or damaged in any way.

How does it work?  When popcorn kernels are heated, the moisture inside turns to steam.  The steam expands and breaks the outer hull, turning the kernel inside out with a popping noise.  Voila! you have fluffy popcorn.

What can go wrong?  If the kernels do not have enough moisture, the steam does not build up enough pressure to pop.  If there is too much moisture, the kernels pop into dense spheres instead of fluffy popcorn.  If the hulls are cracked or damaged, the steam will escape gradually... with maybe a hiss, but not a pop.

What about other grains?  So why can't we pop wheat, rice or regular corn? Popcorn hulls are nonporous, allowing pressure to build up as the moisture is heated.  Other grains have porous hulls which allows the steam to escape gradually.  Pressure does not build up so no popping occurs.

More “Turkey Day” Trivia: Thanksgiving dinner

Turkey meat:  white vs. dark - What causes the color difference between white and dark turkey meat? The type of muscle fiber determines the color of the meat. Dark turkey meat has slow contraction muscle fibers. Slow contraction muscle fibers, sometimes called slow twitch muscle fibers, are used for extended muscle contraction in endurance activities and are supplied with lots of blood vessels, mitochondria, and myoglobin pigments, which give the red color to the meat. White turkey meat, on the other hand, has fast twitch muscle fibers for short bursts of strength and speed. Fast twitch fibers have a poorer blood supply, and fewer mitochondria and myoglobin, and tire quickly.

Cranberries – Of all fresh fruits, cranberries contain the most phenols, a type of disease-fighting antioxidant. Phenols and polyphenols are strong antioxidants and many scientists believe antioxidants protect the heart.

Yams vs. sweet potatoes - A yam is not the same thing as a sweet potato. Although yams and sweet potatoes are both angiosperms (flowering plants), they are not related botanically. Yams, native to Africa and Asia, are a monocot (a plant having one embryonic seed leaf) and are related to lilies and grasses. Sweet Potatoes are a dicot (a plant having two embryonic seed leaves) and are in the morning glory family. Yams are starchier and dryer than sweet potatoes.

Pumpkin pie - Most pumpkin fillings are really custard-type fillings with eggs acting as "gelling agents". They're able to do this because proteins in the eggs unwind as they are beaten and hold the pumpkin and liquids in a gentle mesh. As it cooks, it coagulates or sets and forms a custard-like filling. If the filling is cooked too long, the protein network contracts and shrinks, causing the filling to crack across the top. To prevent the cracking, cook it a little less this year. Remove it from the oven while the center still jiggles slightly if you give it a gentle shake. It may look like it still needs a little more cooking, but remember because of latent heat, it will continue to cook after it is removed from the oven.

"Turkey Day" Trivia

Want to wow your guests at the Thanksgiving dinner table with your incredible knowledge of turkey trivia?  Check out these "Turkey Day" facts! 

• Most farm raised turkeys are White Hollands. They cannot fly.
• An adult turkey has about 3500 feathers. Big Bird’s costume (from Sesame Street) was made from nearly 4000 white turkey feathers, dyed yellow.
• Wild turkeys can glide almost a mile without flapping their wings. Over short distances, they can fly 55 mph and run 20 mph.
• Acorns are the wild turkeys’ favorite food. Because they have a poor sense of taste and smell, they choose acorns by size and shape.
• A turkey’s head will change colors when it’s excited.
• Wild turkeys spend the night in trees.
• A male turkey is called a tom, the female is called a hen and the babies, poults. Immature turkeys are called jake (male) and jenny (female).
• How to tell toms from hens:
• Toms are larger, have longer legs and bigger heads. Their wattle (growth under the chin) and snood (fleshy growth over the bill) are also longer.
• Toms grow a beard – long black feathers on their chest. The beard grows about 4 inches per year and keeps growing throughout their lifetime. Eventually, it drags the ground.
• Male turkeys gobble and females make a clucking sound.
• During mating season, a male turkey gobbles loudly and struts around, puffing out his chest, fanning his large tail and dragging his wingtips on the ground. 
• As male turkeys get older, they fight a lot and may attack humans. 
• About 180,000 wild turkeys live in Virginia, most of them in the Tidewater, South Mountain and South Piedmont regions. 

Turkey history -

• Wild turkeys are native to the eastern US and northern Mexico.  They have lived in North America for almost 10 million years. 
• Wild turkeys were domesticated in Mexico and introduced in Europe in the 16th century. 
• In the 1700s, turkeys were walked to market and wore booties to protect their feet. 
• Ben Franklin thought the wild turkey should be our national bird instead of the bald eagle. 
• Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin ate turkey for their first meal on the moon. 
• Wild turkeys almost became extinct in the early 1900s because of habitat destruction and overhunting. 
• The Turkey Trot was a ballroom dance popular in the early 1900s. The Turkey Trot 10K is a race run every Thanksgiving in Richmond.

Thanksgiving turkey facts –

• Over 45 million turkeys are eaten every Thanksgiving.
• The average American eats 17.5 pounds of turkey per year.
• US turkey production has increased over 300% since 1970.
• Turkey meat is low in fat and high in protein.
• White meat has fewer calories than dark meat.

Question of the Week

The SunTrust Richmond Marathon is this Saturday, November 13, 2010.  NBC12's Andrew Freiden has posted the following weather forecast for race day:

•  7 am - low to mid-40's, mostly sunny
•  Noon - near 60, partly sunny
•  3 pm - mid-60's, partly sunny

What is ideal race weather?



Answer:  Ideal running weather -

• Temperature - runners have different preferences but generally prefer low 40's to mid-50's. Intense muscle activity generates a lot of heat; cooler temperatures help prevent overheating.
• Humidity - low to moderate. Lower humidities mean less water vapor and more oxygen with each breath. The runner's body does not have to work as hard to get enough oxygen to his/her muscles.
• Wind - 5 mph. A slight breeze is better than no wind at all. The breeze helps keep the runner cool by evaporating sweat from the runner's skin. As for direction, a tail wind is always welcome.
• Time of day - morning. Morning means less glare off cars and pavement and less wind, also less traffic.

Question of the Week

What are you afraid of? Ever wonder what makes us scream, shake, or shout when we get scared? Goose Bumps! The Science of Fear opens tomorrow at the Science Museum of Virginia!


So to celebrate, I will pose a question (or maybe 2):

What do women fear most?

What do men fear most?

Hint: The answer is a specific phobia, which is defined as an excessive fear of an object or situation.

Please post your guesses below in the Comment section. (Click on the blog title and then click "Post a Comment" or click on the word "comments" below).

(Answers will be posted next week.)

Answer:  Results differ slightly, depending on whose research you read, but generally, women are afraid of certain animals, like snakes and spiders, and men are afraid of heights, illness and being buried alive. Interesting, huh? And what are you afraid of?

Uh-oh...

It’s Friday the 13th! How’s your day going? Friggatriskaidekaphobia or fear of Friday the 13th is believed to be the most widespread phobia in the US. As many as 21 million Americans believe Friday the 13th brings bad luck. Some take it so seriously that they stay home from work, won’t drive or fly, and may not even get out of bed.


Friday the 13th always occurs in a month beginning on a Sunday; there’s at least one and no more than three every year. The longest possible period without one is 14 months. In 2010 there’s only one - August 13; May has the only one in 2011.

As you are probably aware, there is no scientific basis for this superstition. Several studies have compared the number of traffic accidents on Friday the 13th with accidents on other Fridays. The Dutch Center for Insurance Statistics found there were fewer accidents on that date, but a British study showed an increase in accidents when compared to another Friday. No consensus there…

As with most superstitions, the origin of this superstition is mostly guesswork. No written record of Friday the 13th being unlucky appears before the 19th century. However, most superstitions are based on oral rather than written traditions so it is probably much older. Many folklorists believe the superstition evolved from separate beliefs - that 13 is an unlucky number and Friday is an unlucky day. Several theories have been proposed:

• Ancient civilizations believed the number 13 to be lucky. But when Christianity replaced pagan beliefs, all things pagan were discredited, perhaps to the detriment of the number 13.

• In numerology, twelve is considered “complete” with 12 months in a year, 12 hours on the clock, 12 Zodiac signs, 12 Apostles, 12 gods of Olympus, and so forth, while 13 ruins the “completeness.”

• In Norse mythology, Friday is named for Frigga, goddess of love and fertility. When Norse tribes adopted Christianity, Frigga was labeled a witch and banished. According to the myth, each Friday she gathered 11 other witches plus the devil (for a total of 13) to plot mischief for the upcoming week.

• The Knights Templar were founded in the 12th century to protect Christians during the Crusades. When they eventually became very rich and powerful, the king felt threatened and ordered their mass arrest on Friday, October 13, 1307.

So what are you doing today? Is it just another day or are you laying low? If Friday the 13th gives you the “willies” just keep in mind - it’s only one day and better yet, the weekend is right around the corner.

East Coasters Roasted by Heat Wave

By Ben Remo

Science Museum of Virginia intern

Residents of the east coast may have noticed an increase in heat lately. This increase has led to scorching temperatures of over 100 degrees. Most might be asking, how can this possibly happen? Why should we be subjected to such a hot summer? These dangerous, record breaking temperatures are caused by a heat wave currently hovering along the Atlantic coast. Last week, the northeast region experienced the worst heat wave in years.
At times temperatures have been above 100 degrees in some areas. New York City has opened over 100 cooling centers around the city providing relief from the heat for those who do not have access to air conditioning. Here in Central Virginia we have been subjected to temperatures around 100 degrees for days at a time.

How Heat Waves Work
Heat waves occur when temperatures are 10 degrees or above the normal averages in a region for a substantial period of time.
Ironically, heat waves do not mean that the earth is closer to the sun, a common misconception. According to National Geographic News, the week after 4th of July weekend, the earth was farther away from the sun than it will be at any other time this year. This is because the distance between us and the nearest star has little to do with the surface temperature here on earth.
The tilt of the earth on its axis has more to do with the occurrence of a heat wave. This is what makes for seasonal change. It is currently summer in the Northern Hemisphere because we are pointed towards the sun on the axis.
The formation of heat waves can be attributed to ridges of high pressure in the atmosphere that hang around the sky for some period of time. These ridges make the air hot and move clouds away, making the surface hotter. Clouds are a lot like oven mitts for the earth’s surface. The clouds act as a buffer between the surface and the sun just like oven mitts are a buffer between our hands and a hot object in the kitchen. When those “oven mitts” are not around, it makes for some hot days.

How to Stay Cool
OK. We know what causes heat waves; the next step is learning how to stay cool in the middle of one.
First, dress appropriately for the heat. With work that may be easier said than done. But on the weekends or after work, try to wear open toed shoes (no socks!) and loose, breathable clothes. When running the air conditioner, turn on all the fans in the house. It helps the cool air spread throughout the house. Next, go to the local pool or water park. While keeping you cool, a day at the pool is also good family fun. Drink cold water to stay hydrated. If you’re hydrated, you’re cool. Lastly, according to http://www.greenlivingonline.com/ ingredients in spicy foods actually cool you down after awhile. Add a marginal amount of peppers to any meal to cool you down on a hot day.

Global Warming?
Can a heat wave be attributed to global warming? That’s a sticky question. Global warming is climate; a heat wave is weather. The basic difference is time. Climate is long-term averages of weather, while weather is what’s outside right now. Some scientists believe global warming will change prevailing weather patterns to cause events such as heat waves, stronger hurricanes and even an extra snowy winter like the one just past. So the answer is maybe and maybe not. Scientists are studying both climate and weather trying to find answers. In the meantime, stay cool!

THE LOTUS’ MAGIC

By Fernando Luna Vera

Ph.D. Candidate, Chemistry Department, VCU

Science Museum of Virginia Volunteer

On August 16^th 2008 millions of people witnessed one of the greatest achievements in the history of the Olympics games, Michael Phelps winning his eighth gold medal in Beijing. Beyond the incontestable talent of Phelps, this amazing feat was in part possible by the technology he wore. The fabric utilized in his swimsuit emulates a shark’s skin, which minimizes the drag of one’s body in the water. Using this technology, Phelps was able to swim like a shark as if he were hunting his prey.

Bio-inspiration applied to technology development is called Biomimetics. This discipline has shown us that by learning and unraveling nature’s tricks human life can be transformed in many ways, one ruse at a time. One example is the phenomenon of high water repellency (super-hydrophobicity) born by some plant leaves and especially distinguishable in the species Nelumbo lutea better known as the “Lotus,” from where the effect takes its name: The Lotus effect.

When water does not stick to a surface, like on Lotus leaves, the droplets adopt a spherical shape, so it looks like a marble sitting on top of a table. In contrast, when on a surface that is water-friendly (hydrophilic), droplets can spread out and appear flat like a Frisbee. A collateral effect of this is that the sphere-like droplets can roll along the surface instead of slide down on it. This fact creates one of the most appealing features of the Lotus: it can self-clean its own leaves.

This effect is due to water’s high surface tension. Molecules on the droplet’s surface eagerly want to adhere to anything that deter them from being exposed to the water/air interface. Because the Lotus offers a waxy, hydrophobic substrate, the water does not spread out on the leaf. Water has to adopt the shape that allows the smallest air-exposed area: a sphere. Now, since the surface molecules still want to get rid of the overwhelming job of being at edge of the droplet, when the drop rolls down the surface all the tiny particles like soot or pollen found on its path get picked up by it. The water surface then becomes covered with a layer of dirt. This is the way self-cleaning occurs and in the end the leaf and water droplet are happy.

So therefore, self-cleaning is possible when water does not stick to the substrate and retains a spherical configuration. But how does the Lotus achieve this? Using highly sophisticated microscopes, a technique called Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), researchers have shown that the Lotus’ surface is not smooth at all and in addition to its waxy layer it possesses a well organized structure. It is widely recognized now by scientists that nearly all super-hydrophobic and self-cleaning leaves consist of an intrinsic hierarchical structure where pillars of micrometric size (just millionths of a meter) arrange to form a forest of columns made of water repellent wax. If Lotus’ surface were waxy, but not smooth, it would repel water; water would not acquire a well-defined sphere-like shape and therefore would not pick up the dirt particles.

This knowledge from the Lotus plant has provided the secret to developing many products available today which produce well structured surfaces (Lotus-like). Some self-cleaning paints, which are used in exterior wall coatings (i.e. Lotusan ®) will self-clean a surface when it rains. Can you image your house having a fresh look just after a summer storm? There are water-repellent fabrics that never get dirty (i.e. Nanotex ®) and are used to manufacture outdoors furniture and clothes that very seldom need to get laundered. General Motors is currently working on developing a Lotus-like metal surface to be incorporated within aircraft-technology that avoids the formation of ice, simply because water won’t stick to this kind of surface. These technologies are not just providing comfort; they help in reducing water consumption too, which in the end turns into environmental gain. The human imagination is unlimited and hopefully new technological applications for the lotus effect are still to come. By the way….have you seen a gecko climbing a wall lately?

References and links:

Bhushan, B., Jung C. Y., Koch K., Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A 2009 367, 1631-1672

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFHcSrNRU5E