OREANDA-NEWS. Mitsubishi Electric Corporation announced it has developed a new technology, Smart Air Coating, which helps to keep metal and plastic products free of dirt mixed with water, snow or ice, and dry dust and dirt. The company plans to apply the technology in products as soon as possible.

Smart Air Coating forms a micrometer-level concavo-convex surface coating with super-water repellence to protect the surfaces of metal and plastic materials. Its superhydrophobe surface made of hydrophobic resin with nanometer particulates is applied on top of a reinforcing layer that contains coarse, micrometer-sized particles to form homogenous concavo-convex surfaces, which trap air. The acuteness of the surface's convex and concave angles is controlled by the size and shape of the coarse particles. As a result, the superhydrophobe surface forms a micrometer air film that prevents water permeation and inhibits the adhesion of substances including dirt, water, ice and snow.

Mitsubishi Electric's existing antifouling coating technology, Hybrid Nano Coating, reduces the adhesion of various types of hydrophilic or hydrophobic dust. It is applied to the surfaces of products such as room air conditioners and ventilating fans to reduce grime, which can hinder the operational efficiency of such products. Smart Air Coating also inhibits the adhesion of water, snow or ice mixed with dirt, which can further degrade operational efficiency as well as appearance.