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Nissan's ‘Self-Cleaning’ Car Prototype [video]

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Re: Nissan's ‘Self-Cleaning’ Car Prototype [video]

#41

Post by wuschel »

iandanforth wrote: post #35
wuschel wrote: post #32

(Disclaimer: I had a fair share of sucker punches with self-cleaning surfaces..) Approaches towards self cleaning surfaces have been seen in the lab since a long, long time: They range from photocatalytic concepts (e.g. TiO2/SiO2/polymer hybrid coatings for house paint) to surfaces with a mixture of -OH/-CH3/-F (hydro-/lipophilic and mostly repellent) end groups that can be produces by plasma treatment, and many more…

What if this were an option at a carwash? I use full synthetic oil because it allows me to increase time between changes. I would pay more for a car wash that lasted longer as well. If the problem is a need to re-apply, can you get a coating that could be sprayed across the entire car without a need to mask out bits like in the video?

You have a point. How often/long do you wash your car, and how much $ do you spend on this? I have to admit, I do not wash my car very often. Pity they did not report anything about the cost of deploying the "dirtophobic" car paint film. If one could make it a quickly applicable, inexpensive "spray and go" option that allows to regenerate a dirt repelling film - why not. But there must be a reason why "Nissan says it has no plans to offer the paint as standard equipment, but will consider making it an option".

I am also wondering why they neglected the windows in the video clip. Might be a problem with transparency of the film, or a difference in the nature of the film adhesion to regular paint and glass. It is a pity that they did not provide any data on mechanical stability and film degradation. Without this data, I still do believe that this is a PR thing. Alas, it is wired.com.

Re: Nissan's ‘Self-Cleaning’ Car Prototype [video]

#42

Post by Qworg »

wuschel wrote: post #41
iandanforth wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What if this were an option at a carwash? I use full synthetic oil because it allows me to increase time between changes. I would pay more for a car wash that lasted longer as well. If the problem is a need to re-apply, can you get a coating that could be sprayed across the entire car without a need to mask out bits like in the video?

You have a point. How often/long do you wash your car, and how much $ do you spend on this? I have to admit, I do not wash my car very often. Pity they did not report anything about the cost of deploying the "dirtophobic" car paint film. If one could make it a quickly applicable, inexpensive "spray and go" option that allows to regenerate a dirt repelling film - why not. But there must be a reason why "Nissan says it…

They are using Ultra Ever Dry.

It is not transparent.

Re: Nissan's ‘Self-Cleaning’ Car Prototype [video]

#44

Post by gutnor »

iandanforth wrote: post #35
wuschel wrote: post #32

(Disclaimer: I had a fair share of sucker punches with self-cleaning surfaces..) Approaches towards self cleaning surfaces have been seen in the lab since a long, long time: They range from photocatalytic concepts (e.g. TiO2/SiO2/polymer hybrid coatings for house paint) to surfaces with a mixture of -OH/-CH3/-F (hydro-/lipophilic and mostly repellent) end groups that can be produces by plasma treatment, and many more…

What if this were an option at a carwash? I use full synthetic oil because it allows me to increase time between changes. I would pay more for a car wash that lasted longer as well. If the problem is a need to re-apply, can you get a coating that could be sprayed across the entire car without a need to mask out bits like in the video?

The film they applied, assuming it is similar to the current variety of super hydrophobic coating are not entirely transparent so that would not working in an automated carwash.

That said, in the UK (London) it looks everybody use hand carwash, so maybe there.

Re: Nissan's ‘Self-Cleaning’ Car Prototype [video]

#45

Post by Shivetya »

wuschel wrote: post #41
iandanforth wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What if this were an option at a carwash? I use full synthetic oil because it allows me to increase time between changes. I would pay more for a car wash that lasted longer as well. If the problem is a need to re-apply, can you get a coating that could be sprayed across the entire car without a need to mask out bits like in the video?

You have a point. How often/long do you wash your car, and how much $ do you spend on this? I have to admit, I do not wash my car very often. Pity they did not report anything about the cost of deploying the "dirtophobic" car paint film. If one could make it a quickly applicable, inexpensive "spray and go" option that allows to regenerate a dirt repelling film - why not. But there must be a reason why "Nissan says it…

well I am sure I speak for a few others, I enjoy washing the car. Its relaxing and it also lets me find all those little oopsies. That being said, I wonder if this surface would apply well to clear bras? I can wax both the paint and the film that is the clear bra without any noticeable differences just spending a second to insure no build up where the bra ends.

Reflectivity of paint is another concern, like how rain x does to windows in that while it looks clean there are discernible patterns of dirt there. Is this totally clean or can you see the residue of fine particles?

Re: Nissan's ‘Self-Cleaning’ Car Prototype [video]

#47

Post by glenntzke »

Qworg wrote: post #42
wuschel wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You have a point. How often/long do you wash your car, and how much $ do you spend on this? I have to admit, I do not wash my car very often. Pity they did not report anything about the cost of deploying the "dirtophobic" car paint film. If one could make it a quickly applicable, inexpensive "spray and go" option that allows to regenerate a dirt repelling film - why not. But there must be a reason why "Nissan says it…

They are using Ultra Ever Dry. It is not transparent.

There's good reason to have shown this on a white car because of this fact. 1. white give nice contrast for dirt but importantly 2. white nicely hides the frosty appearance of Ultra Ever Dry.

Check out the ars technica article - the UED video at the top shows work boots frosted over with the stuff. http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/03/the-internet-demanded...

Re: Nissan's ‘Self-Cleaning’ Car Prototype [video]

#48

Post by chalgo »

obsurveyor wrote: post #39

Look at that headlight on the treated side of the car. The cloudiness these types of applications add makes it look like the headlight of a decade old car.

But they masked the headlights in the treatment process. Which also raises the issue, you'll still need to wash your headlights and number plate.

Re: Nissan's ‘Self-Cleaning’ Car Prototype [video]

#50

Post by dgreensp »

wuschel wrote: post #32

(Disclaimer: I had a fair share of sucker punches with self-cleaning surfaces..) Approaches towards self cleaning surfaces have been seen in the lab since a long, long time: They range from photocatalytic concepts (e.g. TiO2/SiO2/polymer hybrid coatings for house paint) to surfaces with a mixture of -OH/-CH3/-F (hydro-/lipophilic and mostly repellent) end groups that can be produces by plasma treatment, and many more…

Yes, and this is Ultra Ever Dry, so not some secret new Nissan technology.

I got excited about ultrahydrophobic sprays for a day or two, but the indications for use are a reality check. Avoid prolonged exposure to UV light (i.e. the outdoors). Avoid prolonged exposure to water(! e.g. can't coat the toilet bowl). Avoid scratching (don't touch it). And so on.

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