Abstract
Nelumbo Nucifera is the scientific name for the flower lotus. It has the unique property of holding water on its surface without letting it seep inside. This phenomenon is technically termed superhydrophobicity. This review paper aims to discuss the possible application of this effect in windshields to eliminate the problems pertaining to wipers. The syntheses of optically transparent superhydrophobic silica based films by different methods are discussed and the different characteristics obtained by these silica- based coatings are compared. These coatings showed optical transparency higher than 90% and the reflection lower than 10%, and the best advancing and receding water contact angles were found to be approximately 165°/150°. The application of this concept to commercial automobile windshields is suggested.
Keyword:Superhydrophobicity, windshields, contact angle, wiper, optically transparent