Proceedings of the International scientific and practical conference ―Science at the Frontier of Civilizations: Challenges and Perspectives‖ (December 27-29, 2025) / Publisher website: www.naukainfo.com. – Helsinki, Finland, 2026. – 252 p.

8 Biomimetic surfaces are engineering solutions that replicate natural structures in order to achieve specific properties, such as superhydrophobicity, wettability control, guided liquid transport, and even self-healing capability. Owing to these characteristics, they can efficiently collect atmospheric moisture, transport droplets in a predefined direction, optimize condensation processes, and enhance the energy efficiency of water-supply technologies. Despite the significant potential of such surfaces, traditional methods of their fabrication remain complex, expensive, labor- intensive, and limited in scalability. For this reason, 3D printing has emerged as a key tool in biomimetic design, fundamentally transforming approaches to research, experimentation, and the development of functional structures. Through digital modeling and additive manufacturing, it becomes possible to rapidly create complex micro- and macrostructures with a high degree of precision that were previously difficult or impossible to realize using other methods. This enables not only the fabrication of series of experimental samples but also the rapid modification of their geometry, testing of functional characteristics, and adaptation of designs to specific operating conditions. As a result, the time between formulating a scientific hypothesis and obtaining practical results is significantly reduced, making the development process far more dynamic and productive. A central element of this approach is the method of layer height manipulation (LHM) during printing. It allows the creation of controlled wettability gradients without additional chemical treatments, which not only simplifies the technology but also provides a high level of precision in controlling droplet motion on the surface. The combination of hydrophilic and superhydrophobic zones makes it possible to substantially increase the efficiency of water collection from fog and atmospheric moisture. In addition, the use of 3D printing enables the fabrication of such hierarchical structures without multi-step processes such as molding or laser processing, significantly reducing cost and production time. The development of biomimetic surfaces begins with the analysis of natural examples—lotus leaves, beetle wings, cactus surfaces, and other biological objects