"A Clear Coating, With Green Applications"
New York Times (01/17/10) Eisenberg, Anne

Researchers led by Purdue University associate professor of materials engineering Jeffrey Youngblood are working on plastic coatings that could one day make it possible to remove grease and dirt from various objects without soap. The self-cleaning coatings are comprised of polymers formed in long chains; and it is possible for different parts of the chain to have different properties, with one part of the chain engineered to allow oil to bead up, for instance. Essentially, the coatings make it possible for water to displace oil without soap. Researchers hope to create polymer additives for liquids that can be poured into spray bottles and applied to various surfaces. Youngblood says the coatings and additives could have "different permutations" based on whether they are used to treat stains or applied to windshields and mirrors to prevent fogging, among other uses.
(Web Link)

Notice about Links: Some publication websites may require user registration before access is granted to articles related to hyperlinks on this page. If an article is unavailable online, a link is provided to that publication's homepage. Links to original articles are subject to change by article publisher.

© Copyright 2009 INFORMATION, INC.  http://www.infoinc.com/copyright.html