Spray-on products have always been a bit gimmicky. First there was spray-on hair luster, then that butter spray from the guy with the hair, and of course, spray-on latex. Years of disrepute and neglect left the suggested pairing of “spray-on” with any product as an automatic demotion for someone working in the marketing business. That’s all about to change.
For those like me who have waited eagerly for nanotechnology to become cheap and mainstream, it’s finally here, and it’s spray-on glass.
A muted initial reaction is understandable, after all it’s just glass, right? The beauty of spray-on glass is in the nano-scale. After application it forms an extremely durable and highly flexible film that is one millionth of a millimeter (or around 20 molecules) thick. Its surface is so smooth that on a molecular level there are no pits or cracks where things get stuck. No dirt filled reservoirs means that stains come right off. That’s right, all that’s necessary to remove the worst staining offenders from a treated surface is warm water. It can even be applied to clothes. I know I’m starting to sound like Billy Mays here (still too soon?), so pardon me for skipping along.
The manufacturers at Nanopool claim that this glass layer is revolutionizing every industry in which it is applied. Cars and trains whose windward sides are coated in it have decreased drag coefficients. Since drag grows exponentially as speed increases, about 60% of the force needed to travel at highway speeds is spent overcoming drag. Less drag means more speed with less power at a higher fuel efficiency. Can you imagine a getting a paint job that improved gas mileage and acceleration? Even better, seeds and plants coated in this stuff grow faster without the need for anti-fungal treatments. It is considered food-safe in Europe, and they are giddy with optimism that it will result in massively increased crop yields. Perhaps the best part of spray-on glass is that it prevents contamination by bacteria. Applying the solution creates an easily cleanable, anti-microbial surface that will last for years. I wouldn’t be surprised if it is being tested as the replacement for the Band-Aid. It can also be used to decrease the risk of infection from invasive medical procedures by coating requisite tools and implants.
They pull off this crazy feat in a funny way. The solution is made almost entirely of silicon dioxide (the principle ingredient in glass). It doesn’t require the addition of any binding agents in order to form. In fact, the absence of such substances is the source of its thinness, strength, and versatility. The molecules of liquid glass bind together through natural quantum phenomenon. It’s been tested for use in several markets, and is now generally available in Germany. It will be sold in England in short order, and the rest of Europe is soon to follow. It won’t be long before the entire world reaps the benefits of this spray-on product, and the sour connotation from times past is reversed.
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