Lotus effect

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Originally uploaded by Mihai Japan

The Lotus effect in material science is the observed self-cleaning property found with lotus plants. In some Eastern systems, the lotus plant is a symbol of cleanliness. Although lotuses prefer to grow in muddy rivers and lakes, the leaves remain clean.

Botanists who have studied lotus leaves have found that they have a natural cleaning mechanism.

Their microscopic structure and surface chemistry mean that the leaves never get wet. Rather, water droplets roll off a leaf's surface like mercury, taking mud, tiny insects, and contaminants with them. This is known as the Lotus Effect.

Some nanotechnologists are developing methods to make paints, roof tiles, fabrics and other surfaces that can stay dry and clean themselves in the same way as the lotus leaf. This can usually be achieved by treatment of the surface with a fluorochemical or silicone treatment. It is also possible to achieve such effects by using combinations of polyethylene glycol with glucose and sucrose. A new paint has now been developed which is self cleaning in this way, and even glass panels have been brought onto the market for use on the roofs of conservatories etc.

In one method an aluminium surface is made superhydrophobic by immersing it in sodium hydroxide for several hours followed by spin coating a layer of perfluorononane to a thickness of 2 nanometers. This procedure increases the water contact angle from 67° to 168°, an effect that can be explained by Cassie's law. Electron microscopy shows that the aluminium surface resembles that of a lotus surface with a porous micro structure containing trapped air.

Death note

Death Note (watch trailer in english) is a Japanese series originally written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata centering around a young high schooler who decides to rid the world of evil with the help of supernatural sources.

Death Note first began as a manga series first serialized by Shueisha in Weekly Shonen Jump from the first issue in December 2003 to May 2006, with 108 chapters in total. The series has been published in its entirety in 12 graphic novels in Japan. Eventually, Death Note was licensed for American publication by VIZ Media and began to be released in October 2005. Later, a set of live-action movies based on the series were planned for production, with the first part released on June 17, 2006, and the second part due out on November 3, 2006. An anime series based on the manga commenced airing in Japan on October 3, 2006.

『DEATH NOTE』（デスノート）は、2003年12月~2006年5月まで少年漫画誌「週刊少年ジャンプ」（2004年1号~2006年24号）で連載された、原作：大場つぐみ、作画：小畑健のサイコサスペンス漫画、及び作中に出て来る架空のノート。また、これを原作とする実写映画、小説、アニメ、ゲーム作品。読者・ファンの間での略称は『デスノ』。DEATH NOTE.COM

本項では、特に断りのない限り、漫画作品について記述する。

Death Note- デースノート Warnerbrothers website

Is laughter contagious?

Laughter(watch this) is an outward expression of amusement (and at times, other emotions). It may ensue (as a physiological reaction) from jokes, tickling and others. At rare times, pain can sometimes be used to create laughter, though not necessarily with sadistic or masochistic reasoning.

Laughter is a part of human behaviour regulated by the brain. It helps humans clarify their intentions in social interaction and provides an emotional context to our conversations. Laughter is used as a signal for being part of a group — it signals acceptance and positive interactions. Laughter is sometimes seemingly contagious and the laughter of one person can itself provoke laughter from others. (more)

Ready or not this year` s snowboard season arrived

As the weather forecast announced, the snow began to fall on the evening of December 1st. This morning, when I left for work I grabbed with me the photo camera to immortalize this year` s first snow in town.
Well, everything was so nice around me, and the new surroundings kept me dreaming for a little while... then I realized that I have to leave, and started to take the snow off the car... that wasn` t so nice but I had to do it.
On my way to work I met with a friend and passed by a sport department to wax our snowboards.
It might be early to go snowboarding but I can` t wait until tommorow... Me and some friends are going to a ski resort to test the new powder that gathered until now( 80 cm). This is how the snow will look like in april

I` ll keep you posted

Hakkoda Walls

Even if it is April, Hakkoda still surprises visitors with its unique landscapes

Hakkoda on February the 22nd 2006

Trying to get o good view of Hakkoda, yesterday I went on top of it and I had the chance to see it on a clear sky( there are a few chances of seeing a clear sky in winter here). There were a lot of tourists amazed by the 'snow monsters', a few groups of skiers and the photographers who were staring at the mountain long time before taking the 'perfect' shots.


PS. I forget to tell you that the amount of snow was 4,20 meters

What's your hobby? Are u a snowboard fan?

Simple Blog! My newest hobby is snowboarding from top of the mountaines, I tried Hakkoda lately! What is your favourite hobby? What makes your heart beat faster?