Mystery Solved

How butterflies stay dry

Slightly bumpy surfaces reduce water drops’ contact time

3:10pm, November 20, 2013

WATERPROOF  As a water droplet hits the wing of a butterfly, a raised vein (vertical line, shown) splits the splash, and sends the water bouncing away more quickly than a smooth surface would.



Ribbed textures force droplets to skip off surfaces quickly, cutting the contact time between water and wafer, the authors found. The results help explain why the veined wings of Morpho butterflies are so good at staying dry.


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