Hi,

The field of research, within nanotechnology, is actually called biomimetics - the very reason being that it draws inspiration from nature.

While superhydrophobicity was already known before, the interest in it rose to a new level after the scientific explanation for the lotus effect:

[en.wikipedia.org]

Lotus being a symbol of purity in Budhism, if I'm not mistaken, due to it's leaves remaining clean even though they grow in marshy areas.

Regards,
Tommi

"In this house, we obey the laws of thermodynamics!"
-Homer J. Simpson