Surface morphology and repellency mechanism investigation of Salvinia molesta plant

ABSTRACT Bionics is a versatile tool with a technological potential, which designers use to search for signs and clues about functional elements and mechanisms in nature that allow for the development of products. The purpose of this study was to analyze the morphology of the aquatic plant Salvinia molesta, aiming to determine the water repellency of its leaf surface and then reproduce its properties in the design of products that require water repellent surfaces. The structure of the plant’s trichomes, analyzed by scanning electron microscope, enabled the identification of the sites where w...