Nanotechnology Now

Our NanoNews Digest Sponsors







Heifer International

Wikipedia Affiliate Button


Home > Press > Lotus Leaf Inspires Fog-Free Finish for Transparent Surfaces

Abstract:
Chinese scientists use silica nanoparticles resembling raspberries to create a water-repellent, fog-free, self-cleaning finish for glass and other transparent surfaces.

Lotus Leaf Inspires Fog-Free Finish for Transparent Surfaces

College Park, MD | Posted on July 30th, 2012

Inspired by the water-repellent properties of the lotus leaf, a group of scientists in China has discovered a way to impart a fog-free, self-cleaning finish to glass and other transparent materials. "Superhydrophobic" surfaces, such as the lotus leaf, are excellent at repelling water and also boast other "smart" self-cleaning, anti-glare, anti-icing, and anti-corrosion properties. By using hollow silica nanoparticles that resemble raspberries, scientists at the Chinese Academy of Sciences were able to apply a clear, slick, water-repellent surface to glass. This is significant in material fields because it means that after modifying low-surface-energy materials and creating surface textures on them, surfaces can be made to exhibit completely different wetting characteristics - either repelling or attracting moisture. As described by the scientists in the American Institute of Physics (AIP) journal Applied Physics Letters, these surfaces show good anti-fogging and light transmittance properties before and after chemical modification, which should help pave the way to a clearer, fog-free performance for windshields, windows, solar cells and panels, LEDs, and even TVs, tablets, and cell phone screens. Smart surface coatings are highly desirable, especially for solar cells and panels, which frequently lose up to 40 percent of their efficiency to dust and dirt buildup within a year of installation. The next challenge the scientists face is figuring out how to move the smart surfaces from the lab to industry in a cost-efficient manner.

Articles featured in AIP press releases will be freely accessible online for a minimum of 30 days following publication.

Authors: Yu Chen (1), Yabin Zhang (2), Lei Shi (1), Jing Li (1), Yan Xin (2), Tingting Yang (2), and Zhiguang Guo (1, 2).

(1) Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics
(2) Hubei University

####

For more information, please click here

Contacts:
Catherine Meyers
301-209-3088

Copyright © Newswise

If you have a comment, please Contact us.

Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.

Bookmark:
Delicious Digg Newsvine Google Yahoo Reddit Magnoliacom Furl Facebook

Related Links

Article: “Transparent superhydrophobic/superhydrophilic coatings for self-cleaning and anti-fogging,” is published in Applied Physics Letters:

Related News Press

News and information

Glowing Plant Releases Maker Kit, Enabling Anyone to Make a Glowing Plant at Home: Glowing Plant seeks funds via crowdfunding and raises almost $400,000 May 23rd, 2013

IDTechEx launches online Market Intelligence Portal May 23rd, 2013

UofL scientists uncover how grapefruits provide a secret weapon in medical drug delivery May 22nd, 2013

Atomic-Scale Investigations Solve Key Puzzle of LED Efficiency: MIT and Brookhaven Lab scientists use electron microscopy imaging techniques to settle a solid-state controversy and raise new experimental possibilities May 22nd, 2013

Discoveries

Whirlpools on the Nanoscale Could Multiply Magnetic Memory: At the Advanced Light Source, Berkeley Lab scientists join an international team to control spin orientation in magnetic nanodisks May 22nd, 2013

Bacterial spare parts filter antibiotic residue from groundwater May 22nd, 2013

UofL scientists uncover how grapefruits provide a secret weapon in medical drug delivery May 22nd, 2013

Atomic-Scale Investigations Solve Key Puzzle of LED Efficiency: MIT and Brookhaven Lab scientists use electron microscopy imaging techniques to settle a solid-state controversy and raise new experimental possibilities May 22nd, 2013

Materials

IDTechEx launches online Market Intelligence Portal May 23rd, 2013

Weird science: Crystals melt when they're cooled May 22nd, 2013

INSCX™ exchange announces substantial increase in capital designated to provide Trade Finance for registered Nanomaterial Producers May 21st, 2013

International survey supports need for built-in water protection on smartphones and tablets May 21st, 2013

Announcements

Glowing Plant Releases Maker Kit, Enabling Anyone to Make a Glowing Plant at Home: Glowing Plant seeks funds via crowdfunding and raises almost $400,000 May 23rd, 2013

IDTechEx launches online Market Intelligence Portal May 23rd, 2013

UofL scientists uncover how grapefruits provide a secret weapon in medical drug delivery May 22nd, 2013

Atomic-Scale Investigations Solve Key Puzzle of LED Efficiency: MIT and Brookhaven Lab scientists use electron microscopy imaging techniques to settle a solid-state controversy and raise new experimental possibilities May 22nd, 2013

NanoNews-Digest
The latest news from around the world, FREE





  Premium Products
NanoNews-Custom
Only the news you want to read!
 Learn More
NanoTech-Transfer
University Technology Transfer & Patents
 Learn More
NanoStrategies
Full-service, expert consulting
 Learn More












ASP
Nanotechnology Now Featured Books




NNN

The Hunger Project








abbigliamento uomo
Computer Accessories
© Copyright 1999-2013 7th Wave, Inc. All Rights Reserved PRIVACY POLICY :: CONTACT US :: STATS :: SITE MAP :: ADVERTISE