US evaluates nanoscale defogging technology

The US military is evaluating ‘first-of-a-kind’ fully submersible prototypes of the NanoWeb transparent conductive film, Canada-based manufacturer Metamaterials announced on 20 October.

‘We believe this project is a world-first demonstration for this type of on-demand defogging,’ said Metamaterials chief product officer Gardner Wade.

The material is engineered at the nanoscale to control light and electromagnetic (EM) waves. Grid wires in the

sub-micron metal mesh are too small to be visible to the naked eye and are highly conductive.

NanoWeb can be used with low power consumption for rapid defogging of goggles, dive masks or gas mask visors. Other potential applications, according to Metamaterials, include deicing and defogging vehicle windshields, headlights, taillights, turn signals, and sensors; touchscreens; EM interference shielding; and transparent 5G antennas.

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