Overview
Description:
"Lotus Leaf Effect” is a cart demo that demonstrates how nature inspires nanotechnology by sharing how nanoscale features on a surface can influence how a material behaves at the macroscale. Visitors learn that lotus leaves (and many other plant leaves) are self cleaning and repel water, due to nanoscale features on the leaves. During the program, visitors compare how water interacts with regular lettuce and leaves that exhibit the lotus effect by dropping water onto the different types of leaves.
Checklist
Scientist reviewed?
Peer reviewed?
Visitor evaluation?
Permissions
Creative Commons
Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike
Standards
History and nature of science:
5-8: Nature of science
Life science:
5-8: Structure and function in living systems
Physical science:
K-4: Properties of objects and materials
5-8: Properties and changes of properties in matter
9-12: Structure and properties of matter
Science and Technology:
K-4: Abilities of technological design
K-4: Abilities to distinguish between natural objects and objects made by humans
K-4: Understanding about science and technology
5-8: Abilities of technological design
5-8: Understanding about science and technology
9-12: Abilities of technological design
9-12: Understanding about science and technology
Resources
Video:
Evaluations
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Another great piece I like
Another great piece I like to include in this experiment is stain-resistant fabric. This fabric, like the self-cleaning materials, was influenced by the lotus effect.
Participants can be provided with the opportunity to compare the two types of leaves, one exhibiting and one lacking the lotus effect, with stain-resistant and non-stain-resistant fabrics. This helps provide a strong connection between properties and application, as well as demonstrating the way nature often serves as a model for science.