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Impressive Nano Layer of Liquid Glass To Coat Every Surface in Your Life

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February 5th, 2010 by Aaron Saenz
  Filed under nanotechnology.
nano layer glass

What keeps the liquid from penetrating into this wood? An invisible coat of nano thin Liquid Glass.

A Germany company is determined to coat your life in a thin layer of Liquid Glass. Also known as SiO2 in ultra thin layering, this transparent film of material is only 100 nm thick (1/500 the width of a human hair) but it can repel water, deter bacteria and fungus growth, protect against wear, and still allow the surface underneath to breathe. Developed by Nanopool, Liquid Glass seems almost too good to be true. Spray it on statues and graffiti won’t stick. Cover your kitchen counter in it, and it can stay clean and sterile for months. Don’t want fungus growing on your plants – you can cover them with Liquid Glass and they’ll be protected, and still able to live. A 30 minute application can last for a full year. The descriptions of what this substance can do are just insane and I wouldn’t believe most of them if we didn’t have visual evidence in their favor. Check out some promo videos from Nanopool after the break. This stuff is going to be everywhere.

According to a news release, the presence of Liquid Glass is already spreading. It helps to protect the surfaces of the Ataturk’s Mausoleum in Ankara, it is in trial use in hospitals in the UK, and its regularly used on trains and luxury furniture. Germany has approved it for open distribution, and the UK is likely to do so in 2010. Nanopool believes that the applications for its product are nearly endless. It could revolutionize household cleaning: one application would help keep every surface sterile for a year and only require light rinsing with warm water. It may change agriculture: coatings on seeds could protect them from infection while they germinate. Liquid Glass is going to change fabrics (no stains, waterproof), buildings and cars (UV, water, and corrosion protection), and electronics (waterproof, scratch resistant). Any one of these applications would be revolutionary and hugely profitable. Taken together…if more countries approve it, a nano layer of glass could encapsulate your entire life.

Unlike other nanotech coatings, Liquid Glass isn’t based on any new or complex nanoparticles. It is simply Si02 molecules extracted from quartz sand (silica). These molecules are then added to water or ethanol (depending on the eventual surface they will coat). While Nanopool won’t discuss anymore of the production process beyond those two facts, they do say that the molecules of glass are held together by quantum bonds, and don’t need extraneous nanoparticles to give them their unique properties. That’s good news for humans and the environment. Silica is inert and harmless (it’s even in some foods) and has no specific ecological impact (its the most abundant mineral on Earth’s surface). There is danger of illness (silicosis) when you inhale large quantities of silica dust, but I’m uncertain if the Liquid Glass would create such dust as it degrades.

I wish there were peer reviewed papers analyzing the efficacy of SiO2 in ultra thin layering, or that there was a bevy of third party scrutiny of Nanopool’s methodology. I would love a comprehensive study on the long term health effects of exposure to Liquid Glass as it degrades. None of these are available. If they were, I would be on the first plane to Germany to somehow become involved with Nanopool. This substance really does appear to be that amazing. A little more proof, and I would go completely crazy promoting this stuff.

As is, I have to be cautiously optimistic. A physiologically harmless, food safe, breathable nanoscale layer that protects almost any surface…how could you not want that to be true? Did you see the ease in which paint could be removed from stone and brick? Think of what that would mean for monuments the world over. The hydrophobic properties are equally impressive. Imagine spilling wine on your white shirt and it simply flowing right off. C’mon, this stuff is mind blowing! And it’s really the most basic form of nanotechnology – an ultra-thin layer of common material. Wait till more advanced nanotech comes to your door in the shape of superconductors, energy generators, and nanobots. Sometimes I’m excited about what technology is coming down the pipeline. With Liquid Glass I’m giddy about the technology that’s already here. I really hope this isn’t some giant hoax or a scientific con job. Even if it is, don’t tell me. I just want to enjoy the possibilities for a while.

[screen capture and video credit: Nanopool]

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  • Now, why in the world would you go and cover a cork with this? If you're going to do that then why not just use a plastic cork in the first place? Seems like a lot of work to just keep a pretty looking cork.
  • Ben
    It does sound really interesting, I don't know if the application crosses over to rust protection on structures, underwater applications would be interesting.
  • skeptic
    Sorry, this just smells like a hoax. Has anyone ever heard of this company before? There does not seem to be a lot of information on them (and their website looks quite amateurish). Available information on this story also appears to be suspiciously lacking in specifics about the names of firms (whether in Germany or elsewhere) that are using/testing the product.

    But among other reasons to be skeptical, I think krunkster has hit on a key point above. Namely, there is no attempt to explain how the layer is applied. It is all well and good to say that it can be "sprayed on" via an aerosol or pump, but I think the real issue is how this type of application process results in an even coating with a thickness of 30 molecules (!).

    Also, they say the layer can adhere to any surface, but yet once applied nothing can adhere to the layer. How is this accomplished?

    Oh well. I'd love to be wrong...
  • joseph
    have you heard of teflon?

    think about that for a moment, and then your question again about how the liquid glass can stick to a surface, and then in turn not be adhered to.
  • Liquid Glass fluids or smart coatings are really making headlines now, following years of work, research and doubt. Now we have smart fluids that can stop metal wear, reverse and repair corrosive damage in stone and metal, makes surfaces easy clean, stop heat leaving or entering buildings and in fact actually enhance the germination process of plants! However with all emerging technology it is healthy to hear positive skeptics and the industry ( small as it is now) needs to embrace all sectors of Society, to dissipate and share application knowledge, even when and where that information may be negative. In this regard Newham College, London are creating a nano surface coating and training center for SME and nanoland.net are offering a large choice of nano fluids to experiment with in the safety and comfort of your own home, college or workplace. So there is soon going to be plenty of value from this emerging technology and hopefully one day soon, Society as a whole will benefit.
  • Wow. Pretty cool stuff.

    Speaking of huge setbacks, if this is real, over time it's going to eliminate the need for a wide variety of chemical cleaners, solvents, disinfectants, and God knows what else over time. That will mean huge drops in sales for the big chemical companies. They either better develop competing products or buy this company fast.

    This won't happen over night but I see a future where there are no more dry cleaning companies, no more carpet cleaning, no more power washing, no more car washes, no more laundermats, and on and on. Again this is going to take time but it is in our future.
  • krunkster
    Impressive potential for nano-tech at both consumer and industial levels, but I will remain skeptical until I see how the layer is applied. That aspect seams to be unmentioned so far, so I'm guessing it's not easy or safe possibly.
  • adsaenz
    The nano layer is "sprayed on" - that's really the only description of the process. Certainly for household cleaner applications (you would purchase in a store) the product would be some sort of aerosol or pump. For industrial uses, there is likely some sort of purpose specific product application. As we see more commercial applications become available, we'll be able to give you more information.
  • It will be a huge setback for nano* products if health effects of this product turns out to be a problem, I duly hope they have done their research throughly.
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