The Lotus Plant (IMAGE) NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Caption The lotus plant has inspired materials engineers to create a coating that mimics the plant's unusual self-cleaning capabilities. Goddard engineer Wanda Peters is investigating whether materials treated with these coatings could survive the harsh space environment. Credit Flickr Creative Commons / Liangjinjian Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.