'First-ever' permanent anti-fog coating developed
By Ben Coxworth
March 17, 2011
Researchers have developed what they say is the world's first-ever permanent anti-fog coating (Photo: mhofstrand, Flickr)
Tired of your glasses fogging up on cold days, or of having to spit in your dive mask before putting it on? Those hassles may become a thing of the past, as researchers from Quebec City's Université Laval have developed what they claim is the world's first permanent anti-fog coating. Just one application is said to work indefinitely on eyeglasses, windshields, camera lenses, or any other transparent glass or plastic surface.
The actual anti-fog coating itself is composed of polyvinyl alcohol, which is a hydrophilic compound that causes the individual droplets of condensation to disperse. Before it can go on to a surface, however, a base of four successive layers of silicon molecules are first applied via an atmospheric plasma process. These layers bond to one another, but also allow the alcohol to bond to them, ensuring the durability and hardness of the combined coating.
While there are already various anti-fogging substances on the market, some of which even do claim to be permanent, the Laval researchers state that these won't stand up to repeated washings, and need to be periodically reapplied.
The university is currently in negotiations with a major eyewear manufacturer, which is reportedly interested in licensing the technology.
Prof. Gaétan Laroche of Laval's Faculty of Sciences and Engineering led the research, which has been published in the journal Applied Materials and Interfaces.
An experienced freelance writer, videographer and television producer, Ben's interest in all forms of innovation is particularly fanatical when it comes to human-powered transportation, film-making gear, environmentally-friendly technologies and anything that's designed to go underwater. He lives in Edmonton, Alberta, where he spends a lot of time going over the handlebars of his mountain bike, hanging out in off-leash parks, and wishing the Pacific Ocean wasn't so far away. All articles by Ben Coxworth
Yes - definitely needed! I spent a fortune on a nanotech solution (pun intended:-) which claimed to be permanent. I applied it to half my car windscreens (in and out), half my shower, and half my dive mask. I chose "half" so I could visually tell the difference. That was a year ago - worked great to start with, but now it's all worn off everything completely. There is no longer any difference whatsover between the halfs of everything I put it on...
christopher17th March, 2011 @ 11:25 pm PDT
I hope this is valid technology! I hate fogging goggles when I am skiiing...
Facebook User18th March, 2011 @ 09:18 am PDT
"Onward thru the fog!!
Facebook User18th March, 2011 @ 03:58 pm PDT
Wouldn't the coating need to be hydroPHOBIC in order to repel water?
Bruce Balensiefer18th March, 2011 @ 04:18 pm PDT
They should have layers of it inside as well as outside, since this could help with the paintball masks too.
Frank Wu18th March, 2011 @ 09:19 pm PDT
Gene,
It's not designed to repel water. Fogging is the result of condensation that is separated into millions of tiny microscopic droplets. This defogging solution is (and I quote from the paragraph you must have only read halfway) a "hydrophilic compound that causes the individual droplets of condensation to disperse."
Zach Fichtler19th March, 2011 @ 04:11 pm PDT
Bruce, to follow up on Zach's explanation, "fogging" is caused by light refracting off the very small beads of water that form on a surface that is hydrophobic, because the surface rejects the water and does not allow the water molecules to spread across it. By using a hydrophilic surface the beads of water are "pulled" onto the surface, spreading the droplets into a thinner layer with no rounded surfaces so the light passes straight through, eliminating the "fogging" effect.
Brutal McKillins21st March, 2011 @ 11:29 am PDT
can this also be applied to the inside of a diving mask?
Yoshifumi Kobayashi25th March, 2011 @ 01:49 pm PDT
can this also be applied to the inside of a diving mask, swimming goggles?Where we can buy this ?
jessicaliao15th May, 2011 @ 05:55 pm PDT
Or Login with Facebook:
-
Nanotech coating to cure fogging permanently
12th December, 2005
-
Nanopool says the case is clear for spray-on glass
10th February, 2010
-
Scientists say goodbye to screen glare
6th May, 2010
-
Defeating oil stains with water
19th August, 2009
-
Moth eye-inspired material boosts efficiency of solar cells
23rd January, 2011
-
New coatings could protect jet engines from volcanic ash
14th April, 2011
Just enter your friends and your email address into the form below
For multiple addresses, separate each with a comma
Privacy is safe with us because we have a strict privacy policy.
That will sure help the cold morning rides to work on the Ninja... :)
Fran Firman17th March, 2011 @ 02:51 pm PDT