Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 3, 2025

Coral Reef Arks: An In Situ Mesocosm and Toolkit for Assembling Reef Communities
Published on: January 6, 2023
Robust Underwater Air Layer Retention and Restoration on Salvinia-Inspired Self-Grown Heterogeneous Architectures
Yachao Zhang1, Yanlei Hu1, Bing Xu2
1CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Key Laboratory of Precision Scientific Instrumentation of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China.
Abstract:
Salvinia's long-term underwater air layer retention ability has inspired researchers to develop artificial microstructures. However, Salvinia has an exquisite combination of a complicated hollow structure and heterogeneous chemical properties, which makes artificial reproduction beyond the capabilities of traditional fabrication techniques. In addition, under extremely low underpressure conditions, the mechanism of retention and restoration of the underwater air layer of Salvinia remains unclear. Herein, by combining the shape memory polymer "top-constrained self-branching (TCSB)" and hydrophilic SiO2 microspheres trapping, four-branch hollow microstructures with heterogeneous chemical properties are fabricated. By applying underpressure, the crucial role of hydrophilic apexes is unveiled in air layer restoration. Through the calculation of the surface energy, the underlying mechanism is well interpreted. This study holds great promise for developing Salvinia-inspired artificial structures and reveals the underlying mechanism of the robust air retention and recovery capability of Salvinia leaves in extreme environments.
Related Concept Videos
Buoyancy and Stability for Submerged and Floating Bodies
Responses to Drought and Flooding
Design Example: Maintaining Level of an Embankment
Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss

