An ultrafine antimisting coating discovered in the US

Some researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Mit)) have found a solution to the problem of eyewear, windscreen and mirror misting - it involves applying on glass a microscopically fine invisible layer of special substance, a sort of plastic and silicon sandwich.

This coating attracts water vapour particles, which cause misting when they come in contact with cold surfaces, and flattens them out, thus making them transparent.

As Michael Rubner explained when he announced it at a meeting of the American Chemical Society in Washington, the coating can be used as a permanent solution for all types of eyewear, windscreens and even washroom mirrors.

The American armed forces and two automotive firms have already stated their interest in the product, which should be marketed within at most five years.