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Scientists learnt an important lesson from a dessert beetle, that they can prevent frosting on the coils, airplanes and windshields. Virginia Polytechnic Institute researchers discovered an intriguing method to control frosting, as per a study published in Scientific Reports, an online journal by Nature. The method is based on a combination of particular pattern superimposed on a surface that is water-resistant. According to the scientists, by scaling tests, the method will become beneficial for covering larger commercial objects, such as airplanes.

The scientists took their inspiration for effective frost prevention from an insect that lives in a surrounding where frost is not a concern. The method used by scientists came from the beetle's shell. "I appreciate the irony of how an insect that lives in a hot, dry desert inspired us to make a discovery about frost," said Jonathan Boreyko, an assistant professor of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics in the Virginia Tech College of Engineering, in the press release for the study. "The main takeaway from the Desert Beetle is we can control where dew drops grow," as reported by Eureka Alert

The researchers analyzed how the insects, Namib dessert beetles, are able to live in one of the hottest places on this planet by collecting water that is airborne. They discovered that the beetle shell contains ridges that is capable of collecting moisture that turns into water droplets. On the other hand, the sides of their shells serve as channels to allow the water to flow directly into the insect's mouth, reports The Christian Monitor.

Scientists studied these unique patterns on the beetle's shell and replicated it on a silicon wafer. This process is also known as photolithography. Even though the chemical pattern attracts the water droplets, the surface of the material resists it. As a result, the water droplets stay separated and running which can slow down or prevent the frosting to happen entirely.