Stenocara Beetle

The back of the Namib desert beetle serves as the model our material attempts to replicate. Scientific interest in the Stenocara Beetle began with the realization that the unique structure of its wings condenses water from a humid atmosphere, thereby supplying the insect with drinking water in an arid region of the world.

Further investigation revealed that the Stenocara combines a patterned superhydrophilic and superhydrophobic surface in such a way that readily condenses water from moist air. Specifically, a grid of regularly spaced dots composed of the superhydrophilic material are laid out among a surface composed of the superhydrophobic material. Water condenses over the superhydrophilic material, but rather than spreading out, it forms steadily growing droplets due to the constraint of the superhydrophobic material. Eventually, the force of gravity acting on the larger mass of water exceeds the adhesion force between the surface and water, so the droplet falls to be collected.

There is nothing unique about such a surface to the Namib desert beetle. Indeed, the patterned surface can be replicated synthetically through careful choice of materials.