Beads of water form on the surface of a leaf. This phenomena is commonly referred to as the 'lotus effect', due to the well-known self-cleaning properties of the Lotus plant. The beads roll off the surface of the leaf and take small particles of dirt with them.

The natural self-cleaning properties of the leaf are produced by a microscopically rough and super hydrophobic surface, which was discovered and patented by the botanist Wilhelm Barthlott. Nanotechnologies, including coatings, paints and other surface treatments, have been developed to mimic the lotus effect on clothes, products and buildings.

Textile designers and vehicle designers were brought together at the Institute of Materials (IoM) this week for a one-day workshop to explore the role of colour and materials for vehicles of the future.

There has been a burst of concept cars with smart and advanced technologies integrated into their inner fabric, such as Toyota's illuminating interior textile and Sheila Clarke's photoluminescent seat covers that glow in the dark. But what will be the colours and materials of the future? Typically, automotive purchases are quite conservative, because it is a large investment for many people. Even so, there are some exciting new material opportunities, such as light weight structural textiles, light emitting polymers and colour changing surfaces. Vehicles of the future will have many of the characteristics of current models. Opportunities for change include technologies that add convenience, such as self-cleaning surfaces; improved safety and comfort, such as materials that become rigid on impact and; lightness and increased fuel efficiency, such as structural textiles.

Image: Chemically coloured stainless steel

Last week I presented a range of conceptual materials and technologies as part of a project setup by Building Futures, the think tank of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

The use of new materials and technologies will play a role in shaping our future surroundings. A major challenge is the integration of new materials, such as nanotech and composites, with our current surroundings and everyday products. They pose a major challenge for designers and engineers, as well as the rest of us that have to use and consume these less familiar technologies.

Nanotech is an exciting area of material development for designers. There are many examples of products and materials that harness the extreme properties of nanotech, such as self-cleaning surface coatings, super strong and super light composites, and colour-shifting finishes. The exciting potential of these new discoveries, such as carbon nanotubes, has yet to be fully explored in the design of our everyday surroundings. Recently, however, the use and applications of nanotech materials has been criticised, because the impact of these materials and substances on our health and environment is not yet fully understood.

Designers are familiar with proposing and designing many years ahead. New materials and technologies demonstrate a vision of what's around the corner. Whilst it is essential to take current knowledge and understanding into account, designers have another important role: to challenge the rest of us to see an otherwise unexpected future and choose to accept it as our destiny.

Image: Aerogel and Peter Tsou, JPL scientist, image courtesy of JPL/NASA