Molecular chaos powers potent ice-busting coating

Scraping ice off your car window might get a lot easier in the future thanks to a new spray coating developed by scientists in Austria. That’s because of the way the molecules line up – or don’t – during its high-tech creation process.Continue ReadingC… Continue reading Molecular chaos powers potent ice-busting coating

Antimicrobial textile coating makes superbug-squashing hospital curtains

Hospitals are meant to heal people, but there’s an increasing risk of patients picking up a superbug or two during their stay. Scientists have now developed long-lasting antimicrobial coatings for textiles that could allow things like hospital curtains… Continue reading Antimicrobial textile coating makes superbug-squashing hospital curtains

Power plant condenser coating could cut 460 million tons of CO2 per year

Weaning the world off fossil fuels will take some time, so finding ways to make energy generation more efficient is still important. Scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have developed a new coating for steam condenser pipes that, … Continue reading Power plant condenser coating could cut 460 million tons of CO2 per year

New coating covers perovskite solar cells’ last Achilles heel

Perovskite is quickly gaining on silicon in the solar cell field, but it has one major drawback – durability. Now, a new treatment has been shown to keep perovskite solar cells working at 99% of their efficiency after 1,000 hours of use.Continue Readin… Continue reading New coating covers perovskite solar cells’ last Achilles heel

Edible CBD coating keeps fruit fresher for longer

It may be delicious and healthy, but fruit is frustratingly fickle too, often going bad quickly in the fridge. Now, researchers in Thailand have developed an invisible, edible coating made with cannabidiol (CBD) that can preserve fruit for much longer…. Continue reading Edible CBD coating keeps fruit fresher for longer

Bacteria-based coating protects distillery buildings from the elements

Bacteria often get a bad rap, but in many cases they’re helpful little critters. Engineers have now developed a protective coating for buildings that’s loaded with bacteria, which absorb CO2 to produce a barrier against erosion by the elements.Continue… Continue reading Bacteria-based coating protects distillery buildings from the elements

New anti-corrosion polymer highlights damage, self-heals and is recyclable

Engineers at ETH Zurich have developed a versatile new material that should help in the ongoing battle against corrosion for buildings and vehicles. The polymer coating not only protects against corrosion, but highlights cracks as they form, automatica… Continue reading New anti-corrosion polymer highlights damage, self-heals and is recyclable

Ultra-thin coating makes for self-cleaning solar panels

Solar panels can’t operate efficiently if they’re caked in dirt, but cleaning them regularly can become a time-consuming process. Engineers in Germany have now developed an ultra-thin coating that can make solar panels and other surfaces self-cleaning…. Continue reading Ultra-thin coating makes for self-cleaning solar panels

Self-healing coating repairs car scratches with 30 minutes of sunlight

Finding a scratch on your car is a special kind of heartbreak, but in the future they might be gone before you even notice. Scientists in Korea have developed a coating that self-heals scratches in as little as 30 minutes when exposed to sunlight.Conti… Continue reading Self-healing coating repairs car scratches with 30 minutes of sunlight