Diverse unique surfaces exist in nature, e.g. lotus leaf, rose petal and rice leaf. They show similar contact angles but different adhesion properties. According to the different wettability and adhesion characteristics, this review reclassifies different contact states of droplets on surfaces. Inspired by the biological surfaces, smart artificial surfaces have been developed which respond to external stimuli and consequently switch between different states. Responsive surfaces driven by various stimuli, e.g. stretching, magnetic, photo, electric, temperature, humidity and pH, are discussed. Studies reporting on either atmospheric or underwater environments are discussed. The application of tailoring surface wettability and adhesion includes microfluidics/droplet manipulation, liquid transport and harvesting, water energy harvesting and flexible smart devices. Particular attention is placed on the horizontal comparison of smart surfaces with the same stimuli. Finally, the current challenges and future prospects in this field are also identified.
On a superwetting surface, droplet behaviour can be manipulated. Utilising the directional motion and coalescence of water, water collection (including fog harvesting) is a significant application of superwetting surfaces. In the plant and animal kingdom, many biological surfaces show excellent water-collecting function. This chapter summarises the development and recent progress of the natural and bio-inspired surfaces that can collect water. The biomimetic models, i.e., the model of spider silks, cactus, and desert beetles are introduced. The corresponding mechanism, raw materials or approaches to mimic natural surfaces and optimised structures which show improved water-collecting performance are explained. Future directions for the water-collecting material are forecasted.
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