On the Formation and Dynamics of Micro Dew Droplets on Grass: the Role of Epicuticular Wax..
Name
Small_-_2025_-_Mahamed_-_On_the_Formation_and_Dynamics_of_Micro_Dew_Droplets_on_Grass__the_Role_of_Epicuticular_Wax.pdf
Description
visibility:open
Size
5.9 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (CRC64NVME)
bR+lPNTS02Y=
Resource type
Journal article
Date published
August 21, 2025
Abstract
Though ubiquitous in everyday life, the formation of dew on grass arises from a precise balance of environmental conditions and surface microstructure. While condensation requires sufficient atmospheric moisture availability and cooling below the dew point, the formation of stable, spherical droplets is dependent on specialized surface architectures that promote nucleation and resist total wetting. Here, a closer look at the formation, growth, and dynamics of microscale dew droplets on the surface of wheatgrass leaves, investigating the role of epicuticular wax, is provided. The wheatgrass leaf exhibits biphilic properties emerging from the hydrophilic lamina covered by hydrophobic wax microsculptures, therefore, dew formation and dynamics are largely governed by the arrangement and density of epicuticular wax. Drop‐wise condensation is observed, resulting in discrete, highly mobile dew droplets on the superhydrophobic adaxial side, while the abaxial surfaces, characterised by reduced wax coverage, yield significant flooding and film‐wise condensation. Frequent coalescence of multiple droplets of 5–20 µm diameter on the adaxial side results in self‐propelled departure events, creating free potential sites for new nucleation. This dynamic regime of jumping dew droplets may provide a source of fresh water to surfaces and organisms in the vicinity of low grasses, considering their quasi‐vertical orientation.
Project(s)
Priority 4: Accelerated Taxonomy
Funder
| Funder name | Awards |
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, United Kingdom | EP/L022494/1 - Summer research internship programme.(Centre for Doctoral Training in Future Fluid Dynamics and Yorkshire Consortium for Equity in Doctoral Education (YCEDE)). - EP/L022494/1 |
Leeds Institute of Fluid Dynamics, United Kingdom | |
University of Nottingham, United Kingdom | |
Journal title
Small
Article number
e02219
Publisher
Wiley-VCH GmbH
Place of publication
Germany
ISSN
1613-6810
eISSN
1613-6829
Official URL
Rights statement
In Copyright
Additional information
IF = 12.1 (2024)