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Lotus Leaf Effect

[1] : Cart demonstration [2]

Lotus Leaf Effect

Download all files (zip) [3]  

Overview
Lotus Leaf Effect
Greta Zenner Pe... [4]
NISE Network product
image/jpeg iconLotus_effect_EExpo2008.jpg [5]
image/jpeg iconNanoDays2009_170.jpg [6]
image/jpeg iconNanoDays2009_167.jpg [7]
image/jpeg iconNanoDays2009_108.jpg [8]

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.
Objectives

Big Idea: 

Nanoscale features of materials can alter macroscale behavior.

Learning goals: 

  • Nanoscale features of materials can alter macroscale behavior.
  • Nanotechnology can improve materials in our everyday lives.
  • Scientists copied a surface in nature that protects leaves and used it to improve paint.

NISE Net Content Map: 

  • Nanometer-sized things are very small, and often behave differently than larger things do.
  • Scientists and engineers have formed the interdisciplinary field of nanotechnology by investigating properties and manipulating matter at the nanoscale.
  • Nanoscience, nanotechnology, and nanoengineering lead to new knowledge and innovations that weren't possible before.

Universal design: 

  • Repeat and reinforce main ideas and concepts.
Credits

Developed for the NISE Network with funding from the National Science Foundation under Award Numbers 0532536 and 0940143. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this product are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.

Checklist

Scientist reviewed? check_reviewed
Peer reviewed? check_reviewed
Visitor evaluation? check_reviewed

Nano Topics

[9], [10]

Audience

[11]

Tags

[12], [13], [14]

Permissions

Creative Commons license image [15]
Creative Commons
Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike

Catalog section: 

Programs

What kind of program?: 

Cart demonstration

Nano topics: 

Art and nature
Fundamentals

Audience: 

7 and up

Content keywords: 

hydrophobic
hydrophilic
lotus leaf

Highlight this product during NanoDays?: 

0

K-12: 

0
Standards

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

History and nature of science: 

5-8: Nature of science

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

Life science: 

5-8: Structure and function in living systems

Science in Personal and Social Perspectives: 

K-4: Science and technology in local challenges
5-8: Science and technology in society
9-12: Science and technology in local, national, and global challenges
Resources
Download zip file [3]

Download all files (ZIP) [3]

Files: 

application/msword iconLotus Leaf Effect - Lesson Plan [16]
application/pdf iconLotus Leaf Effect - Poster [17]

Links: 

Lotus Leaf Effect [18]
See FAQ #10 to learn more about downloading NISE Net video [19]

Video: 

Evaluations
Comments
default member photo

Another great piece I like [20]

Submitted by Sarah Maine [21] on Thu, 01/15/2009 - 13:26.

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.

Source URL: http://nisenet.org/catalog/programs/lotus_leaf_effect

Links:
[1] http://nisenet.org/catalog/programs
[2] http://nisenet.org/catalog/programs/cart_demonstration
[3] http://nisenet.org/node/1626/filefield_compress/all
[4] http://nisenet.org/users/greta_zenner_petersen
[5] http://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/catalog/programs/Lotus_effect_EExpo2008.jpg
[6] http://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/NanoDays2009_170.jpg
[7] http://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/NanoDays2009_167.jpg
[8] http://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/NanoDays2009_108.jpg
[9] http://nisenet.org/category/nano-topics/art-nature
[10] http://nisenet.org/category/nano-interests/fundamentals
[11] http://nisenet.org/category/audience/7
[12] http://nisenet.org/catalog/topics/hydrophobic
[13] http://nisenet.org/catalog/topics/hydrophilic
[14] http://nisenet.org/category/files-keywords/lotus-leaf
[15] http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/
[16] http://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/catalog/uploads/2008/05/3066/lotuseffect_lessonplan_jan10.doc
[17] http://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/catalog/uploads/2008/05/3066/lotuseffect_worksheet_may10.pdf
[18] http://vimeo.com/channels/nisenet/10732251
[19] http://www.nisenet.org/support
[20] http://nisenet.org/print/1626#comment-44
[21] http://nisenet.org/users/sarah-maine
[22] http://nisenet.org/user/login?destination=node%2F1626%23comment-form
[23] http://nisenet.org/user/register?destination=node%2F1626%23comment-form