Overview of the exhibit
Nature's Raincoats is part of the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition 2009 taking place from Tuesday 30th June 2009 to Saturday 4th July 2009 at The Royal Society (click here for visitor information). The exhibit is one of 21 exhibits selected from 103 proposals on the basis of scientific quality and novelty, and attractiveness in promoting Science to the general public, post-16 students, policy makers, and the press. The exhibit is based on research at Nottingham Trent University and the University of Oxford on bio-inspired super water-repellent surfaces, and is presented as a collaborative public understanding of science exhibition.
The exhibit will provide a glimpse into the natural world of super water repellency, a feel for the droplet shedding and self-cleaning capability of smart surfaces, an understanding of the sound of pressure and a peek at future technological possibilities.
About The Royal Society
The Royal Society, the national academy of science of the UK and the Commonwealth, is at the cutting edge of scientific progress. The society supports many top young scientists, engineers and technologists, influences science policy, debates scientific issues with the public and much more. It is an independent, charitable body which derives its authoritative status from over 1400 Fellows and Foreign Members. The Exhibition is a major event in the Society's Calendar.
Selected Scientific References
Modelling contact angle hysteresis on chemically patterned and superhydrophobic surfaces,
Langmuir 23 (2007) 956. Via arXiv
A lichen protected by a superhydrophobic and breathable structure,
J. Plant Physiol. 163 (11) (2006) 1193-1197. View postprint pdf
Progress in superhydrophobic surface development,
Soft Matter 4 (2) (2008) 224-240. View postprint pdf
