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Russian scientists develop new glass coating technique

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Russian scientists develop new glass coating technique

Russian scientists develop new glass coating technique

Russian researchers at the National Research Nuclear University Moscow Engineering Physics Institute (MEPhI) have developed a new technique for applying coatings to hard surfaces. The device, a plasma generator, creates a high-intensity magnetron discharge in melted materials. The device evaporates melted matter and enables the rapid application of high-quality thin-films. This approach to glass coating combines the advantages of two coating techniques – magnetron deposition and vacuum evaporation – that can individually create a high quality or rapidly produced coating, but not both.

Glass coating technique could be used for other materials

The new glass coating technique has potential for other materials, too. Currently, coated glass is used heavily in the construction industry to help control glare and heat gain in buildings that make extensive use of glass. The coatings must be high quality in order to work, which significantly slows the rate at which the glass can be produced.

The technique could also be used to apply both preservative and decorative coatings to building materials, tools and filters. The team is currently working on a production-scale prototype. The prototype will not be available commercially, but it takes the technique one step closer to commercialization.

Various forms of magnetron deposition and vacuum evaporation have been in development since the 1980’s. The ability to apply specialized coatings to glass has enabled the commercialization of energy-efficient and insulating glass in construction worldwide.

Glass coating plays an increasingly important role in energy efficiency and construction technology. Glass is a special material because unlike most construction materials, it isn’t porous. Its impervious surface means that ordinary coatings won’t stick to glass over a long period of time. Glassprimer™ glass paint was specially engineered to modify the surface of glass at the nanoscale level. This allows the paint to adhere permanently to glass without chipping, fading or peeling, even when exposed to humidity and direct sunlight.

Glassprimer™ glass paint is a cost-effective glass coating that can help reduce or eliminate the penetration of invisible light frequencies that are responsible for solar heat gain. Glassprimer™ glass paint can be dyed to match virtually any paint palette from any major paint manufacturer. It can be incorporated into virtually any decorating scheme, and is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

If you’d like more information about Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit the rest of our site. If you’d like to purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store .

Photo Credit: Jared Tarbell, via Flickr.com

New glass coating could reduce energy use

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New glass coating could reduce energy use

New glass coating could reduce energy use

Scientists at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research in Singapore have developed a glass coating that permits visible light but blocks 90% of near infrared lightwaves. If applied to architectural glass, the coating could reduce energy consumption by nearly eliminating solar heat gain. The glass coating could prove to be especially useful in countries near the equator, where air conditioning accounts for most of a building’s energy use.

Glass coating can be applied to existing windows

The coating consists of 10-nanometer antimony-doped tin oxide particles. In the lab, the researchers could control the near-infrared light absorption by varying the concentration of the antimony-doped particles. Antimony-doped nanoparticles are already in use, but the commercially available mixtures feature particles that are much larger. By reducing the size of the antimony nanoparticles, scientists were able to achieve near complete infrared rejection.

According to the agency, a local glass company is already interested in licensing the coating. According to the developers, it is also possible to apply the coatings to windows that are already installed.

Reducing solar heat gain is essential to reducing energy costs in buildings. Low-emissivity glass has been proven to perform, but it is expensive and supply issues have arisen globally. Glassprimer™ glass paint offers the ability to block invisible light waves, while permitting visible light. Glassprimer™ glass paint is an industry leader in coatings and can provide about 250 square feet of coverage for about $1 per square foot.

Glassprimer™ glass paint performs well, even in direct sunlight and high humidty. The paint is specially engineered to bond permanently with the glass surface. Once cured, the paint will not peel, chip or fade. When applied according to manufacturer instructions, the paint is waranted for 10 years. It can also be tinted to match the paint palette of virtually all major paint manufacturers. That means you can incorporate Glassprimer™ glass paint seamlessly into your decorating plan.

If you’d like more information about Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit the rest of our site. If you’d like to purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store .

Photo Credit: Jes, via Flickr.com

Glass coating technique reduces heat gain

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Glass coating technique reduces heat gain

Glass coating technique reduces heat gain

Researchers at the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi have developed an inexpensive glass coating technique that reduces solar heat gain nearly as much as more expensive techniques currently used on low-emissivity glass.

Air conditioning accounts for about 75% of Abu Dhabi’s peak daily electricity usage, so reducing demand for air conditioning is critical, especially in modern all-glass buildings. Low-emissivity glass is a standard material, but it is expensive.

Typically, low-emissivity glass is coated multiple times using thin silver films and other materials. The layers are applied using a vapor deposition technique, which is relatively slow and expensive. In addition, depending upon the materials in the deposition layers, low emissivity coatings can reduce the transmissibility of visible light, and can change the appearance of the glass by giving it a red or brown cast.

The Masdar Institute glass coating technique is significant because it reduces the cost of manufacturing low-e glass. The technique still uses vapor deposition to apply the coating, but the coating itself has been changed. The team used an inexpensive metal-oxide layer that is nearly as effective in blocking light waves from the non-visible spectrum. Unlike traditional silver-based coatings, the metal-oxide coating is applied only once. This shortens the production time without significantly sacrificing performance.

Reducing the number of times a coating must be applied, and using less expensive materials that are nearly as effective, reduces the cost of production and acquisition. It also preserves the clear/neutral appearance of glass, which makes it a desirable option for new construction.

The coating material is still be refined and tested. To date, the team has worked with small-scale glass coatings, but the next step is to verify that the coatings perform similarly on larger pieces of glass. The glass coating will then undergo more rigorous performance tests to ensure that it is durable enough to perform in harsh climates.

If you’re looking for some inspiration for your next glass project, please visit the rest of our site. If you’d like to purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store .

Photo Credit: Thomas Hawk, via Flickr.com