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The Lotus Leaf Effect

The concept of looking to nature for inspiration is probably most associated with the arts, but Mother Nature can also be a muse for scientists and while the Lotus Leaf Effect is not a new theory, Biomimicry can solve a slough of challenging problems elegantly, if done carefully and with a green heart in mind.

The beautiful Lotus Leaf (Nelumbo nucifera) grows in murky waters and yet remains completely clean and it all has to do with the unique nanostructure of the leaf's surface. The surface has millions of microscopic nubs or papillae covered by a wax crystal surface that repels water, which means that is it a hydrophobic = a water-hating surface. Water isn't the only thing that the leaf can repel; dirt simply rolls-off with a little bit of water to wash it away.

Imagine for second... your clothes, your duvet cover, your car seat... imagine being able to wash your gym clothes by rinsing them with water. This means that your clothing and textiles could be washed without the use of chemicals and detergents!

The applications seem endless and it has been made possible with its discovery in 1977 by Prof. Dr. Whilhelm Barthlott at the NEES Institute at the University of Bonn. The leaf can even repel honey - check out this short and quirky demonstration:

Transitioning this nanotechnology (applied science on the atomic and molecular scale) to make textiles and clothing self-cleaning has been developed by chemists and engineers at BASF. Ten years ago they first made water & dirt repellent wall paints using a polypropylene, polyethylene and wax coating.

In 2006 they treated polyester with a nanostructure matrix called Mincor® TX TT for the use in flags, sails and sunshades that are ideal because they don't have to be machine washed. Almost all textiles are suitable for treatment and the future of their research will focus on making dirt-repellent fabrics that look and feel the same and are durable enough to survive the stress of a washing machine. This could mean fewer wash cycles for your clothing, saving you time, money and of course, the environment.

The washing or laundering of clothing and textiles has a dramatic impact on the environment... I'll expand upon this important point soon.

Local Sustainability Continued...

To continue where my last post finished, China controls HALF of the global textile and apparel trade and in the current path set in motion, it will take strong government legislation to stop it. This enormous scale of production and consumption dramatically impacts our natural resources, communities and economy.

Localism is concerned with feeding human creativity, reducing carbon emissions from transportation, creating local jobs (not out-sourcing them), social engagement and expanding upon cultural and local aesthetics. Inspired by one's local surroundings, an entire collection could be created that reflects individual or local aesthetics. Materials can be sourced that are grown and produced locally... but they probably won't be growing on your rooftop or garden, like the raspberries in my previous post, but you get the idea.

Local sustainability is exemplified by Natalie Chanin with her year-and-a-half-old label, Alabama Chanin (her previous line was Project Alabama). Her clothing is constructed by hand in a sewing group, that is a breeding ground for human creativity. From a region that once thrived on the textile trade, they create pieces using recycled or organic materials, in a style that is unique to them.

New Eco Fashion companies are popping-up everyday and I hope the ones who succeed have learned from Alabama Chanin and incorporate local sustainable practices into their business models.

In the spirit of learning, Nature is often considered our best teacher, and the cherry tree example, described in William McDonough & Michael Branugart's book "Cradle to Cradle" is a perfect example of local sustainability. The cherry tree takes root from a simple seed and grows into an over-productive blossoming tree that continues to give back to the very local environment it relied on to grow.

Does our clothing biodegrade safely to provide nutrients for microorganisms, plants, animals and soil? Do our garments utilize local expertise? Are they beautiful?

These questions are asked when designing with localism and Biomimicry principles in mind. Velcro is probably the most famous model used to discribe how textiles can be made using nature as a guide.

Nature can inspire us to create beautiful biodegradable garments that can enrich our lives, communities and even the fashion & textile industry.