Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #32289: Paint That Cleans Itself in Space: Testing Lotusan in Microgravity

Have you ever heard of paint that cleans itself? Lotusan paint, inspired by lotus leaves, repels water and dirt on Earth. But what happens to its self-cleaning abilities in space, where gravity no longer pulls water downward? Valley Christian High School explored this in their ISS experiment.

By applying Lotusan paint to test surfaces and observing how water interacted with it in microgravity, the students sought to understand if the paint’s hydrophobic properties would still function. The lack of gravity meant water droplets didn't behave the same, forming spheres rather than flowing. This altered interaction could inform future uses of hydrophobic materials on spacecraft, possibly aiding in self-cleaning surfaces or preventing microbial contamination.

Understanding material behavior in space isn’t just about keeping things clean—it’s about building safer, more efficient space habitats for future explorers.

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