**2. Materials and Methods**

#### *2.1. Substrates*

Stainless steel 316L (SS316L) plates (Onlinemetals.com, Seattle, WA, USA) with dimensions of 1.0 cm × 1.0 cm × 1.0 mm were used. Plates were sequentially polished using silicon carbide abrasive papers (400–1200 grit, Abracol, Colombia) and a mirror-like surface was obtained using diamond paste (0.5 μm, Leco Corporation, St. Joseph, MI, USA). SS plates were then sequentially cleaned in an ultrasonic bath using 99.8% acetone (Merck Millipore, Burlington, MA, USA), distilled water (Protokimica, Medellin, Colombia) and 99% ethanol (Merck Millipore, Burlington, MA, USA). Plates were allowed to dry in air and were divided into four groups, one of them regarded as the control group (polished SS 316L).

#### *2.2. Master Model*

The lamina of the leaves from Taro (*Colocasia esculenta*), Montbretia (*Crocosmia aurea*) and Giant salvinia (*Salvinia molesta*) were used to fabricate the master models. Such leaves were selected because they show high hydrophobicity and self-cleaning properties at simple observation without technical equipment.
