When it was discovered that the self-cleaning qualities of superhydrophobic surfaces at the nanoscopic scale come from the physical-chemical properties at the microscopic level, rather than from the specific chemical properties of the leaf surface,[16]​[17][18]​ the discovery opens up the possibility of using this effect on artificial surfaces, by imitating nature in a general rather than a specific way.

Some nanotechnologists have developed treatments, coatings, paints, tiles, fabrics and other surfaces that can remain dry and clean by technically replicating the self-cleaning properties of plants, such as the lotus plant. This can usually be achieved using fluorinated chemical treatments or special silicones on structured surfaces or with compositions containing microscale particles. Superhydrophobic coatings comprising Teflon microparticles have been used in medical diagnostic slides for more than 30 years. It is possible to achieve such effects by using combinations of polyethylene glycol with glucose and sucrose (or any insoluble particle) in conjunction with a hydrophobic substance.

In additional chemical surface treatments, which can be removed over time, the metals have been sculpted with femtosecond pulsed lasers to produce the lotus effect.[19] The materials are uniform black at any angle, which combined with the self-cleaning properties could be used to produce very low maintenance solar thermal collectors, while the high durability of the metals could be used in self-cleaning latrines to reduce disease transmission.[20]

Other applications have been commercialized, such as self-cleaning glasses installed in the sensors of traffic control units on German highways developed by a cooperation partner (Ferro GmbH).[21]​ Evonik AG has developed a spray for the generation of self-cleaning films on various substrates. Superhydrophobic coatings applied to microwave antennas can significantly reduce rain runoff and ice and snow accumulation.

"Easy to clean" products in advertisements are often confused in the name of the self-cleaning properties of hydrophobic or superhydrophobic surfaces. Surfaces treated as superhydrophobic also show promise for improvement in microfluidic laboratory testing devices and can greatly improve surface-based bioanalyses[22].

The superhydrophobic or hydrophobic properties have been used in dew collection, or channeling water to a basin for use in irrigation. The Groasis Waterboxx has a lid with a microscopic pyramidal structure, based on superhydrophobic properties that channel condensation and rainwater into a container for release to the roots of a plant being grown.[23]​.

Although the self-cleaning phenomenon of the lotus was possibly known in Asia much earlier (reference to the lotus effect is found in the Bhagavad Gita[24]) its mechanism was only explained in the 1970s after the introduction of the scanning electron microscope.[4][15]​ The studies were carried out with the leaves of Tropaeolum and lotus (Nelumbo).[6]​ " The Lotus Effect™" is a registered trademark (Trade Mark) of the Sto AG (US Registration Nos. 3561156 and 2613850).

When it was discovered that the self-cleaning qualities of superhydrophobic surfaces at the nanoscopic scale come from the physical-chemical properties at the microscopic level, rather than from the specific chemical properties of the leaf surface,[16]​[17][18]​ the discovery opens up the possibility of using this effect on artificial surfaces, by imitating nature in a general rather than a specific way.

Some nanotechnologists have developed treatments, coatings, paints, tiles, fabrics and other surfaces that can remain dry and clean by technically replicating the self-cleaning properties of plants, such as the lotus plant. This can usually be achieved using fluorinated chemical treatments or special silicones on structured surfaces or with compositions containing microscale particles. Superhydrophobic coatings comprising Teflon microparticles have been used in medical diagnostic slides for more than 30 years. It is possible to achieve such effects by using combinations of polyethylene glycol with glucose and sucrose (or any insoluble particle) in conjunction with a hydrophobic substance.

In additional chemical surface treatments, which can be removed over time, the metals have been sculpted with femtosecond pulsed lasers to produce the lotus effect.[19] The materials are uniform black at any angle, which combined with the self-cleaning properties could be used to produce very low maintenance solar thermal collectors, while the high durability of the metals could be used in self-cleaning latrines to reduce disease transmission.[20]

Other applications have been commercialized, such as self-cleaning glasses installed in the sensors of traffic control units on German highways developed by a cooperation partner (Ferro GmbH).[21]​ Evonik AG has developed a spray for the generation of self-cleaning films on various substrates. Superhydrophobic coatings applied to microwave antennas can significantly reduce rain runoff and ice and snow accumulation.

"Easy to clean" products in advertisements are often confused in the name of the self-cleaning properties of hydrophobic or superhydrophobic surfaces. Surfaces treated as superhydrophobic also show promise for improvement in microfluidic laboratory testing devices and can greatly improve surface-based bioanalyses[22].

The superhydrophobic or hydrophobic properties have been used in dew collection, or channeling water to a basin for use in irrigation. The Groasis Waterboxx has a lid with a microscopic pyramidal structure, based on superhydrophobic properties that channel condensation and rainwater into a container for release to the roots of a plant being grown.[23]​.

Although the self-cleaning phenomenon of the lotus was possibly known in Asia much earlier (reference to the lotus effect is found in the Bhagavad Gita[24]) its mechanism was only explained in the 1970s after the introduction of the scanning electron microscope.[4][15]​ The studies were carried out with the leaves of Tropaeolum and lotus (Nelumbo).[6]​ " The Lotus Effect™" is a registered trademark (Trade Mark) of the Sto AG (US Registration Nos. 3561156 and 2613850).