Title |
Non-Contaminating Camouflage: Multifunctional Skin Microornamentation in the West African Gaboon Viper (Bitis rhinoceros)
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Published in |
PLOS ONE, March 2014
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DOI | 10.1371/journal.pone.0091087 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Marlene Spinner, Stanislav N. Gorb, Alexander Balmert, Horst Bleckmann, Guido Westhoff |
Abstract |
The West African Gaboon viper (Bitis rhinoceros) has an extraordinary coloration of pale brown and velvety black markings. The velvety black appearance is caused by a unique hierarchical surface structures which was not found on the pale brown scales. In the present study we examined the wettability of the vipeŕs scales by measuring contact angles of water droplets. Velvet black scale surfaces had high static contact angles beyond 160° and low roll-off angles below 20° indicating an outstanding superhydrophobicity. Our calculations showed that the Cassie-Baxter model describes well wettability effects for these surfaces. Self-cleaning capabilities were determined by contaminating the scales with particles and fogging them until droplets formed. Black scales were clean after fogging, while pale scales stayed contaminated. Black scales feature multifunctional structures providing not only water-repellent but also self-cleaning properties. The pattern of nanoridges can be used as a model for surface-active technical surfaces. |
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Geographical breakdown
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Belgium | 1 | 25% |
Unknown | 3 | 75% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
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Members of the public | 2 | 50% |
Scientists | 1 | 25% |
Science communicators (journalists, bloggers, editors) | 1 | 25% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
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Unknown | 38 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
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Student > Ph. D. Student | 10 | 26% |
Student > Bachelor | 4 | 11% |
Student > Master | 4 | 11% |
Student > Postgraduate | 3 | 8% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 2 | 5% |
Other | 5 | 13% |
Unknown | 10 | 26% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
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Engineering | 5 | 13% |
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 2 | 5% |
Environmental Science | 2 | 5% |
Materials Science | 2 | 5% |
Other | 4 | 11% |
Unknown | 10 | 26% |