In 1975 discovered the botanists Barthlott and Neinhuis from the University of Bonn the self cleansing capability of the Lotus flower. The scientists observed that Lotus flowers get rid of mud and dirt while unfolding their leaves in the morning. So they examined the leave surface structure of the Lotus with a scanning electron microscope discovering a not as expected smooth but a very rough structure (10-9 nano and 10-6 micro).
This rough structure is responsible for the super hydrophobic ability of the leaves. The leave’s surface has a double layer structure first it is covered by little pimples (papillae) whereupon a layer of hydrophobic wax lies. The Wax prevents raindrops from getting into the pimples interspaces resulting in only 2% – 3% of the drops surface being in contact with the leaf. Additional is the contact angle at which a liquid or vapor meets a solid surface responsible for the water-repellent. The smaller the contact angle (<90o), the flatter the droplets and the wetter the surface. The larger the contact angle (>90o) the less the area of contact between the liquid or vapor and the solid interface, leading to a closer to dry surface. The Lotus pimples create a contact angle of over 150°. These effects reduces the strength of adhesion and vests the lotus flower with a super hydrophobic surface.
In many Asian religions is the Lotus flower due to the cleanness revered as a symbol of purity.
As the Lotus effect has been introduced into Bionics it has found its way to commercial use. Today we can find the Lotus effect in the textile industry producing hydrophobic cloth. Other fields of use include glass, plastics, painted surfaces, metals and ceramics and equipped with a hydrophobic ability these products outpace competitors.
References:
http://www.flyingcolours.org.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=1483
http://movingscience.de/projekte/technik/lotus_effekt.html
http://www.schoepfung.eu/landschaften-pflanzenwelt/pflanzenportaits/lotuseffekt.htm
Futureprospects 
I needed to share this particular post, Window Blinds “The Lotus effect | Futureprospects”
with my personal buddies on fb. I actuallyonly planned to pass on your very good writing!
Regards, Matt
This is a nice story
This is a nice story and we would like to use the Figure with the Lotus leaf in our accepted paper titled:
“Water in Nanocapsules Influenced by Internal Hydrophobicity Leads to Nanoscale Dewetting, i.e. Water Segregation: A Molecular Type of Lotus Effect ”
My question: Would it be possible to use the Lotus leaf Figure if we give the corresponding acknowledgement?
Sure I’m glad to hear that you can make use of it. Liebe Grüße und viel Erfolg mit dem Beitrag.
Herzlichen Dank!
A.M.
Important: We need it with a higher resolution. Hope you have it. Or do you have perhaps another one?
Achim
The paper with the Lotus leaf figure has been published online. Our thanks you can find in the acknowledgement.