Fogging in glass is created by treatment on glass that repels water molecules away from it but a new ceramic coating could help to solve this problem. The new technology is patented by A*STAR’s IMR (Institute of Materials Research and Engineering) which consists of a ceramic coat applied to glass which causes water molecules to attract creating a thin transparent layer of water instead of beading which limits visibility.
Chemists have already found chemical based coatings that can achieve the same effect however this is only temporary which requires reapplication on the surface. The ceramic treatment patented by IMRE requires a one-time only coating which could prove extremely useful for people living in humid environments. The application of this technology on automobile windshields could enhance safety by maximizing visibility in less than ideal weather conditions.
One of the main advantages of ceramic coating is it requires a low amount of heat, only about 100ºC which is likely to improve its cost efficiency over other materials. Some companies have already implemented a treatment of titanium dioxide to create a self cleaning glass that repels dirt, debris and water, however titanium dioxide (TiO2) requires treatment at 600ºC to temper within the glass.
A chemist for IMRE by the name of Gregory Goh commented that their new ceramic treatment is permanent as opposed to the previously used chemical mixtures of nanoparticles and organic materials. IMRE is excited at the range of possibilities this technology could be applied to ranging from the food industry to home and automobile installation.
Even more advanced materials and coatings exist today that allow a surface to repair its self. Chemists from the Eidhoven University of Technology have developed a coating that can be applied to certain surfaces to repair cracks, damages and clean finger prints. The application of these self healing surfaces could prove handy for airplanes, mobile phones, cars, and solar panels. Use in mobile phones could extend the life of a device and cleaning screens from water, finger prints and scratches while use in solar power panels or airplanes would reduce maintenance time and costs while enhancing safety.
Tags: chemists, nanoparticles