Imagine never having to clean your glasses again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An inventor at 51ÁÔÆæ\u2019s College of Engineering & Applied Science has developed a self-cleaning coating that could be applied to commercial products, including eyeglasses, building glass and car windshields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Junjie Niu, Richard and Joanne Grigg associate professor, materials science & engineering, was issued a U.S. patent in November for the technology, called 3D hybrid composite coating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a super-hydrophobic coating,\u201d Niu says. \u201cWhen it gets wet, it activates and repels water and prevents particles from adhering to the surface.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to reducing the need for cleaning, the coating could reduce water consumption\u2014in public urinals, for example\u2014and prolong the life of products such as pipelines and sensors that are at risk of corrosion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n