Researchers in Japan have created a new water-repelling material inspired by porcupinefish skin. Yoshihiro Yamauchi, Masanobu Naito and colleagues from the National Institute for Materials Science have created microscale pufferfish-inspired scales made of zinc oxide, to which they have added a silicone polymer for elasticity. Unlike other superhydrophobic materials, the porous structure retains its water repellency after being repeatedly twisted or bent, as explained in the scientific journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces.
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