Biomimetic Surface Inspired by Multiple Natural Prototypes for Efficient Fog Water Collection

Abstract

The challenge of alleviating the water scarcity crisis is a serious problem faced worldwide. Harvesting water from atmospheric fog is an intriguing process. Taking inspiration from the multilayered micro-nanostructure of Phyllostachys leaves and the wetting gradient of spider silk combined with the leaf vein like pattern, a biomimetic system with hybrid and gradient wetting surfaces was designed and manufactured using laser etching technology and gradient anodizing technology. Under the synergistic effect of wetting driving force and gravity, the discharge of droplets was accelerated, thereby improving the efficiency of fog water collection, which is about 80% higher than the control sample. This sample integrates droplet capture, coalescence, and transportation functions, providing a new approach for the design of efficient mist collectors.