Novel, Low Cost Superhydrophilic Anti-Fog Coatings to Maintain Transparency

One of the major drawbacks of the currently fielded transparent armor platforms is their vulnerability to fogging. Fogging severity can ultimately compromise the transparent platform capabilities, and often jeopardize the soldier’s survivability. Current commodity anti-fog coatings often diminish after repeated cleanings over time and require constant reapplication to ensure their effectiveness. Recent advances in nanotechnology have the potential to enable superhydrophilic surface coatings with anti-fog characteristics that prevent the formation of water droplets. Our proposed practical superhydrophilic coatings that are based on the application of nanotechnology will provide the Army with significantly enhanced soldier and vehicle survivability by preventing battlefield’s fogging hazards. Additional benefits of the proposed anti-fog coatings include improved light transmittance, environmental and mechanical durability, safe and low cost process that is of minimal hazard to the environment and manufacturing personnel.