Water drops do not adhere to the self-cleaning aluminium surface. The latter has been functionalized by a team of “CAMP” scientists using direct laser interference patterning (DLIP).
Credit: Fraunhofer IWS Dresden
Dresden scientists have developed a self-cleaning metallic surface.
A project team of Technische Universität Dresden and the Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS structured an aluminium plate with a laser process in such a way that water droplets no longer adhere and dirt particles can be removed from the surface – completely without chemical cleaning agents or additional effort. The scientific evidence of the self-cleaning effect has been published in the journal “Applied Surface Science”.
For several years, scientists at TU Dresden and Fraunhofer IWS have been developing functionalised surfaces by means of laser-based manufacturing processes. Now, they have created a periodic surface structure that is not only water and ice repellent, but also remove dirt particles solely by rolling water drops. In this context, they particularly focussed on the material aluminium. “This material is used in many industrial branches – either in the automotive sector, aircraft construction or the food industry. The use of aggressive cleaning chemicals is particularly critical in food industry, as we naturally do not want to bring these chemicals in contact with our food,” emphasises Stephan Milles, PhD student at Technische Universität Dresden. In particular, the Dresden scientists studied the function of self-cleaning laser-structured aluminium. A special camera was used to analyse the self-cleaning effect of the aluminium surfaces and filmed the process at 12,500 frames per second. Thomas Kuntze, scientist in the Microtechnology Technology Field at Fraunhofer IWS, explains: “This way we can perfectly see how a water drop can remove the dirt from the aluminium surface. This method is also suitable for understanding other processes, such as laser cutting and welding or additive manufacturing”.
The Latest Updates from Bing News & Google News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Self-cleaning surface
- 15 Small Cleaning Tasks That Are Big Time-Savers (They’re So Satisfying)
Fill a plastic bag with a 1:1 solution of water and distilled white vinegar. Attach it around the shower head so that it’s submerged in the liquid. Let it soak for a bit to remove the buildup, then ...
- Are Clorox Wipes Not Safe for Use on 'Food Surfaces' for High Chairs, Countertops and Tables?
A video went viral in April 2024 showing a mother talking about the purported dangers of cleaning "food surfaces" with Clorox disinfecting wipes.
- These 4 ‘Dirty’ Animals Actually Clean Up Quite Well
Cleanliness is next to godliness for many animals, no matter their size. Find out more about some of the animals that, despite their reputations, clean up after themselves.
- How To Get a Clean House While You Sleep: 3 Overnight Cleaning Hacks
Sure, you can sleep through your oven's self-cleaning mode, but the smell it makes can ... tile has one thing in common: It's a pain to clean. The uneven surface means dirt and grime gather in the ...
- Cleaning is Not Disinfecting. But Do You Understand Why?
We’re breaking down what it really means to have a “dirty” surface, including tips from the leading scientists who study harmful bacteria in the home.
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Self-cleaning surface
[google_news title=”” keyword=”self-cleaning surface” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Self-cleaning effect
- 15 Small Cleaning Tasks That Are Big Time-Savers (They’re So Satisfying)
Fill a plastic bag with a 1:1 solution of water and distilled white vinegar. Attach it around the shower head so that it’s submerged in the liquid. Let it soak for a bit to remove the buildup, then ...
- The 5 Most Important Boundaries to Set if You Struggle with “Stress Cleaning”
Stress cleaning is a common trope in film and television. A highly anxious person — usually a woman — is portrayed as a neurotic, “Type A” who cleans obsessively, especially during times of heightened ...
- Getting dirty to clean up the chemical industry's environmental impact
The global chemical industry is a major fossil fuel consumer and climate change contributor; however, new Curtin University research has identified how the sector could clean up its green credentials ...
- Swarms of miniature robots clean up microplastics and microbes, simultaneously
When old food packaging, discarded children's toys and other mismanaged plastic waste break down into microplastics, they become even harder to clean up from oceans and waterways. These tiny bits of ...
- Swarms of miniature robots clean up microplastics and microbes, simultaneously (video)
When old food packaging, discarded children’s toys and other mismanaged plastic waste break down into microplastics, they become even harder to clean up from oceans and waterways. These tiny bits of ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Disease
[google_news title=”” keyword=”disease” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]