A Coating to Prevent Fogging on Glasses

Researchers have found a solution to prevent fogging on glasses. At least that’s what scientists at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich) claim.

Specifically, they have developed a coating that prevents fog from forming on lenses. It consists of a transparent layer of gold nanoparticles embedded in titanium oxide, a non-conductive material just a few nanometers thick.

“The coating absorbs infrared light as well as a small portion of visible sunlight and converts it into heat,” explains Christopher Walker, PhD student and lead author of the study, in a statement published on the ETH Zurich website.

“Normally it’s dark surfaces that absorb light and convert it into heat. We’ve created a transparent surface capable of the same result,” adds Efstratios Mitridis, also a PhD student.

According to the research published in the journal Nano Letters, the glass surface heats up by 3 to 4 degrees. The result: reduced water vapor condensation.

The scientists’ next step is to bring their solution to industrial-scale production. “We want to further optimize the already robust coating so that it lasts for years, and adapt the technology to an industrial scale,” concludes Christopher Walker.

He notes that their method could apply to all types of eyewear, such as ski and diving goggles, as well as car mirrors and windshields.

Source: the editorial team at acuite.fr