Stanley Meyer 1992 Interview

New nanocoating ensures a perfectly non-reflecting view on displays

New nanocoating ensures a perfectly non-reflecting view on displays

(Nanowerk News) A new nanocoating ensures a perfectly non-reflecting view on displays and through eyeglasses. The necessary surface structure is applied to the polymeric parts during manufacture, obviating the need for a separate process step. The hybrid coating has further advantages: the components are scratch-proof and easy to clean.

This car speedometer cover with two anti-refl ective circular surface areas was manufactured in just one step.

Moths are the prototype. As they search for food at dusk they have to hide from predators. Their presence must not be betrayed by reflections on their facet eyes. On other insects these eyes shimmer, but the moth’s eyes are perfectly non-reflecting. Tiny protuberances smaller than the wavelength of light form a periodic structure on the surface. This nanostructure creates a gentle transition between the refractive indices of the air and the cornea. As a result, the reflection of light is reduced and the moth remains undetected.

Research scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM in Freiburg have adopted this artifice and adapted it to a range of different applications. On eyeglasses, cell phone displays, fitting or panel covers, transparent surfaces are generally only useful if they allow viewing without light reflecting back. Whereas conventional methods apply the anti-reflective coating in a separate step after production, the Fraunhofer scientists have found a way of reducing light reflection during actual manufacture of the part or component: »We have modified conventional injection molding in such a way that the desired nanostructure is imparted to the surface during the process,« explains Dr. Frank Burmeister, project manager at the IWM.

For this the researchers have developed a hard material coating which reproduces the optically effective surface structure. »We use this to coat the molding tools,« says Burmeister. »When the viscous polymer melt is injected into the mold, the nanostructures are transferred directly to the component.« Because no second process step is required, manufacturers achieve an enormous cost saving and also increase efficiency. »Normally the component would have to undergo an additional separate process to apply the anti-reflex coating,« Burmeister adds.

Normal plexiglass and some anti-reflex coatings are particularly sensitive, but the scientists are producing wipe-resistant and scratch-proof surfaces. For this purpose the injection mold is additionally flooded with an ultra-thin organic substance made of polyurethane. Burmeister: »The substance runs into every crevice and hardens, like a two-component adhesive.« The result is an extremely thin nanocoating of polyurethane on which the optically effective surface structures, which are just one ten-thousandth of a millimeter thick, are also reproduced. Working in cooperation with industrial partners, the research scientists now aim to develop components for the auto industry, for example, which are not only attractive to look at but also hard-wearing and easy to clean.

Source: Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM

1920 Milburn owned by Tom Henry in Winter Park, FL

U3-X Personal Mobility Prototype

Transision Technology towards WallE Generation. The most innocent looking way to become - subhuman... Humanity... prepare to become lazy and fat.

I wonder if I can stretch and lean back riding this mono pod armless, back less, wheel chair?

In other words... another way to make able people... disable.

Murphy's law... if something can go wrong... it will go wrong. I wonder what happens when you are leaning forward complacently... and everything goes haywired after this machine passes through an EM Field and all the electronic system suddenly shuts off. :-D

Anyway - nice toy to enjoy for the first 5 minutes.

The Truth about Automobile History

Part I of the History of the American Development of the Automobile from the Model T and Diesel Engine to Bio-Fuels and Development Hindered by DuPont and the Petro-Chemical Companies.

NASA Puffin Low Noise, Electric VTOL Personal Air Vehicle

Conceptual design focusing on the ability of a redundant electric propulsion system to provide new capabilities for Vertical Takeoff and Landing aircraft. Specifically utilizing electric motor variable rpm to accomplish a low tipspeed prop-rotor (400 ft/sec tip speed at hover and 200 ft/sec at cruise) to accomplish an order of magnitude reduction in community noise for close proximity operations (30-40 db reduction). The variable rpm capability also achieves a 25% improvement in prop-rotor efficiency through operation at optimal advance ratios.

Introducing the 2010 Fisker Karma

The 2010 Fisker Karma, a plug-in electric hybrid, is the first of four new models built by Quantum.
The car runs on 75 cents per gallon to operate in electric mode, can be charged at home, and will switch to gas mode for longer trips.

Quantum Technologies CEO Alan Niedzwiecki spoke with AlwaysOn's Phyza Jameel last month at the Nordic Green conference.