Clogging Weeds Prompts Waterproof Coating Of Boats

A water-borne weed that is often known to block waterways all over the world has contributed a great deal to the formulation of an advanced waterproof coating proposed for boats and submarines, to cut down drag and better buoyancy. The Brazilian non-flowering plant Salvinia molesta has vigorously grown partially over America and Australia. Its surface has a pattern of dots with strangely formed hairs that confines air, cuts down friction and helps the plant adrift. These hairs are what attracted the researchers to this weed.

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The #-Link-Snipped-# got the  Ohio State University engineers to explain how they revived the feel of the surface, which totally matches a cover of tiny eggbeater-shaped fibers. The air packets at the base of these hairs decrease friction and help the plant stay adrift in the water, as the sticky region at the tips of the egg-beaters gives constancy by adhering to the water. Bharat Bhushan, Professor of Mechanical engineering at Ohio State University pointed out that this unique quality of this surface, which is sticky and slippy at the same time, is what makes the surface so extraordinary. With a little commercial bonus, this surface could prove out to be beneficial for boats and submarines to lessen the drag and increase their buoyancy.