Abstract
Biomimetics represents a novel platform for textile innovation; drawing on principles of structural hierarchy in biomaterials, parallels are drawn between fibrous material systems in nature and textiles highlighting potential opportunities for biomimetic technology transfer within this hierarchical framework. This chapter explores superhydrophobic surface morphologies that are well known in nature, such as the self-cleaning lotus leaf, based on the principle of surface roughness on a microscale for the creation of low surface energies and high contact angles. This property, in particular, is very valuable to the textile industry and has been achieved using advanced wet-finishing processes. However, these industrial processes are characteristically energy/resource dependent and damage the environment. Biological examples, such as the lotus leaf, show how functional surfaces can be created through textural design at a microscale, but also illustrate the need to work out how to produce these in a sustainable, energy and resource lean manner. This chapter also highlights developments in plasma finishing technologies as a viable, sustainable alternative to conventional wet-finishing processes.
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