First permanent anti-fog coating developed.

[laconicsax]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110316104117.htm

ScienceDaily (Mar. 16, 2011) — Researchers under the supervision of Université Laval professor Gaétan Laroche have developed the very first permanent anti-fog coating. Dr. Laroche and his colleagues present in the online edition of Applied Materials and Interfaces the details of this innovation which could eliminate, once and for all, the fog on eyeglasses, windshields, goggles, camera lenses, and on any transparent glass or plastic surface.

Fog forms on a surface when water vapor in the air condenses in fine droplets. "Despite appearances, the fog that forms on glasses is not a continuous film. In fact, it consists of tiny droplets of water that coalesce on the surface and reduce light transmission," explains Laroche, a professor at Université Laval's Faculty of Sciences and Engineering. "A good anti-fog coating should prevent the formation of such droplets."

Researchers used polyvinyl alcohol, a hydrophilic compound that allows water to spread uniformly. The challenge was to firmly attach the compound to the glass or plastic surface. To accomplish this, researchers applied four successive layers of molecules, which formed strong bonds with their adjoining layers, prior to adding the anti-fog compound over this base. The result was a thin, transparent, multilayered coating that does not alter the optical properties of the surface on which it is overlaid. In addition, the chemical bonds that join the different layers ensure the hardness and durability of the entire coating.

[guruoo]

1. Wonder if this could replace Rain-X nt

[krispos42]

2. Yay!!!

One day, this may become standard on all optics.

[scubadude]

3. I'm not sure this is the first....

I've been wearing eyeglasses for a couple of years that have a coating on them called Crizal Avancé with Scotchgard Protector. I would call this stuff miraculous. It repels water and dirt. When they do get dirty, I put a drop of dishwashing soap on them, rub with my fingers, then put them under slowly running water. The soap and water practically leaps off the lenses. If you go slowly the lenses will be completely dry. It takes a few seconds. I love this stuff, and now that I've tried it, I can't imagine not having it.

If you wear eyeglasses, get this stuff, and remember where you heard of it. :-) It's that good.

Scuba