Scientists have invented a new permanent coating that attracts water instead of repelling it for a better, clearer view and can be applied on multiple surfaces ranging from glass to plastics.
When it comes to fogged up glassware or windows, the best way to keep a clear view seems to be by wiping the water droplets away constantly or having coatings that prevent the water from sticking to the glass.
However, scientists at ASTAR's Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE) in Singapore have discovered that doing just the opposite - collecting the water to create a uniform, thin, transparent layer - actually helps produce a better, clearer view.
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IMRE has invented a new technology, CleanClear, which is a durable and permanent ceramic coating that is transparent and superhydrophilic, which means it attracts water instead of repelling it.
This creates a layer of water that prevents fogging on glass or plastic surfaces, and keeps surfaces cleaner for a longer period of time.
Water-forming coatings create an additional uniform water layer to produce a better view as opposed to water-repelling technologies that form water droplets which impair vision.
Reduced visibility from fogged up glass or plastic surfaces is a common problem in wet or humid environments, and affects a multitude of products such as car windshields, spectacles, goggles, and even covers for cookware.
The majority of solutions rely on water-repelling coatings. Unfortunately, current coatings are not durable and most have to be re-applied regularly.
The new patented technology is a one-time ceramic coating that can be applied onto glass or plastic materials at processing temperatures below 100 degrees C.
The coating is durable, permanent and only needs to be applied once.
Although there are also other similar "water-loving" coatings, these are often processed at much higher temperatures and can only be activated by ultraviolet (UV) rays or sunlight, researchers said.
Large multinational companies also use alternative coatings like titanium dioxide (TiO2) to produce self-cleaning glass surfaces that prevent dirt and dust from sticking.
However, the TiO2 ceramic coats can only be applied on surfaces during the manufacturing process at temperatures above 600 degrees C. This limits their application to hard materials like glass.
CleanClear can be adapted to multiple surfaces and materials, ranging from glass to plastics. The coating does not require activation and continues to function even at night and in low-light, indoor environments.
