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Nanotube Coating Promises Ice-Free Windscreens

Posted December 21, 2006 6:40 PM

From New Scientist - Latest Headlines:

A transparent lacquer containing carbon nanotubes could clear car windscreens or mirrors by acting as a heater. Thicker, opaque versions of the coating could turn entire floors of buildings into radiators, researchers claim. The lacquer can be sprayed onto any surface and consists of a liquid base containing a mixture of nanotubes that conduct electricity. As the liquid dries, the nanotubes form a conducting network inside the lacquer. Passing a current through this network causes the layer to heat up. In tests, a coating connected to a 12 volt power supply similar to car battery was able to clear ice from a plastic sheet in about 2 minutes although the test sheet was only the size of a paper back book.

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The Engineer
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#1

Re: Nanotube Coating Promises Ice-Free Windscreens

12/26/2006 9:48 AM

Awesome, in five years we could have car windows that defrost in 2 minutes. What's that? We already can defrost car windows in 2 minutes? Oh....nevermind.

Carbon Nanotubes, solving all the problems we don't have and none of the problems we do.

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#2

Re: Nanotube Coating Promises Ice-Free Windscreens

12/27/2006 8:14 AM

Ok so the car defrost idea may not fly. I do however like the floor heating though.

I used to work in ceramic tile installation and the effort to pour in heated flooring was horrible. but if I could just pour this on and tile over it. It could be a leveler and heater. That is assuming that the stuff works like that. Still if the idea can be done for the same price as current heating tech then it can't be worse.

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The Engineer
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#3
In reply to #2

Re: Nanotube Coating Promises Ice-Free Windscreens

12/27/2006 9:30 AM

I'll adjust my Carbon Nanotube marketing slogan "Carbon Nanotubes, just as good as what you've got now, just much more expensive"

I know I'm being a bit hard on CNTs. I'm sure they will find uses for them, I just hate that so many people are working on them. To me the whole CNT fad in research right now represents a lot of the problems in the current way science works. So naturally, I take it out on the CNTs themselves.

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