Water scarcity constitutes a major global challenge. Biomimetic water collection materi

als, which mimic the efficient water capture and transport mechanisms, offer a crucial

approach to addressing the water crisis. This review summarizes the research progress

on biomimetic water collection materials, focusing on biological prototypes, operational

mechanisms, and core aspects of biomimetic design. Typical water-collecting biological

surfaces in nature exhibit distinctive structure–function synergy: spider silk achieves di

rectional droplet transport via periodic spindle-knot structures, utilizing Laplace pressure

difference and surface energy gradient; the desert beetle’s back features hydrophilic mi

crostructures and a hydrophobic waxy coating, forming a fog-water collection system

based on heterogeneous wettability; cactus spines enhance droplet transport efficiency

through the synergy of gradient grooves and barbs; and shorebird beaks enable rapid water

convergence via liquid bridge effects. These biological prototypes provide vital inspiration

for the design of biomimetic water collection materials. Drawing on biological mecha

nisms, researchers have developed diverse biomimetic water collection materials. This

review offers a theoretical reference for their structural design and performance enhance

ment, highlighting bio-inspiration’s core value in high-efficiency water collection material

development. Additionally, this paper discusses challenges and opportunities of these

materials, providing insights for advancing the engineering application of next-generation

high-efficiency biomimetic water collection materials.

https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics11010067