Anicet Mbida 06:50, February 22, 2023
Anicet Mbida delivers to us every morning what is best in terms of innovation.
This Wednesday, he is interested in screens capable of cleaning themselves thanks to a special film with several properties.
The innovation of the day should appeal to maniacs. We found a technology that automatically cleans our touch screens.
Chances are your phone is full of fingerprints.
I know some who can't stand it and who spend their time wiping it on their thigh or on their sleeve.
Well, we are now working on screens capable of cleaning themselves: we cover them with a special film with several properties.
In normal mode, it will be like today: everything that is liquid or greasy will have difficulty adhering (“oleophobic” coating).
But as soon as the screen will emit ultraviolet, the behavior of the film will change.
It will go into self-cleaning mode.
That is, it will begin to pick up moisture from the air.
A thin layer of water will form on the surface.
This will help dissolve the dirt.
Then, a small electric current is applied which will destroy all the particles that have accumulated.
And does it really clean?
Doesn't leave traces?
No.
This is the same technique used by some solar panels and some self-cleaning windows.
When the film changes mode, the mini layer of water will evaporate instantly, without leaving traces.
And the dust will be expelled by electrostatic effect.
So no need to pass the squeegee like when you do your tiles.
The only limit: the process can take more than an hour if the glass is particularly dirty.
Hence the idea of activating it at night, when the phone is charging.
This is what General Motors plans for its future dashboards.
No need to take out your chamois anymore.
Greasy fingerprints will be cleaned automatically as soon as the car is plugged in.
Will it cost more?
Yes, unfortunately, because we have to completely review how the screen is made.
In particular to add ultraviolet bulbs to it.
But as always, costs will eventually come down with volumes.
So maybe in a few years all screens will have a self-cleaning mode.
In any case, I who am a bit of a maniac… that would suit me well.