Part A: Bio-inspired water repellent surfaces produced by ultrafast laser structuring of silicon

Superhydrophobicity and water repellency is currently the focus of considerable research for a large range of applications, such as self-cleaning surfaces, microfluidics, lab-on-chip devices, low friction coatings, water proof and anti-rain textiles [1,2]. Nature has illustrated a wide variety of such water repellent surfaces. Insects like Cicada orni and Rhinotermitidae and plants such as the sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) exhibit remarkable wetting characteristics. Barthlott and Neinhuis were the first to report the “lotus effect” [3].