Nissan unveils 'world’s first' self-cleaning car

[aussiblue]

http://www.theengineer.co.uk/automot...018464.article

Nissan has begun tests on innovative paint technology that repels mud, rain and dirt.

The specially engineered super-hydrophobic and oleophobic coating, which repels water and oils, has been applied to a prototype version of the new Nissan Note.

Developed by Florida-based chemical clean-up specialist UltraTech International the paint, which is called Ultra-Ever Dry, is already used in a number of industrial applications. Nissan, however, is the first carmaker to apply the technology on automotive bodywork.

The surface of the coating is comprised of nano-scale patterns of geometric shapes with high-points that help to create a low surface energy. This causes droplets of water to touch a very small percentage of the coating.

The water in the droplet that does not touch these “high points” is held together by intermolecular cohesive forces of the water molecules.

This effectively creates a protective layer of air between the paint and environment, and stops standing water and road spray from creating dirty marks on the car’s surface.

Nissan is the first carmaker to apply the coating to automotive bodywork

Engineers at Nissan Technical Centre Europe will be testing the self-cleaning Note over the coming months in a variety of conditions. According to the company, it has already responded well to rain, spray, frost, sleet and standing water.

The Nissan Note already features a ‘wash and blow dry’ function on its rear view camera. This uses water and compressed air to automatically keep the lens free of dirt and ensure the Notes’ safety sensors work in all conditions.

Whilst there are currently no plans for the technology to be applied to the model as standard, the company said that it is considering the coating technology as a future aftermarket option.

[Flat Top]

we use "similar" nano technology on painting UPVC window Frames for doubleglazed windows . the Rain effectively cleans the window.
The surface has to be pretreated first , its normally a clear over base application and mainly on mettallics .
Its also starting to be used on buildings as a clear coat over paint on aluminium cladding which has to be chromated first. weve only been able to apply horizontally at the moment.

[Sam1112]

That's Awesome, it should be free for any car with Black Paint or other Dark Colours... We need this more than any other drivers on the road!

[rancidpunx]

This is basically what I already have on my car and cars that customers bring me. Genuine Paint Protective coatings like Ceramic Pro already use this technology, its just applied in the aftermarket rather than by the factory. The car will still need to be washed because of the way the coating would work. Whilst its very good at repelling dirt and grime, it will still build up if not attended to. Once there is a film of road grime any further dirt will then start to stick to that instead. Also as soon as you polish the paint any benefit will be removed with the polishing process. Swirls and scratches can still be introduced which still need polishing.

[GASWAGON]

Sounds like a load of crap to me......Surely dirt and grime will still stick to the surface? Why not just wash your car when its dirty?

[fte50]

Yeah its miracle technology till the birds sh it on it

[pottery beige]

Nissan paint n tint minge moll ftw

[Jack960]

It makes sense however dirt and bird crap would still stick to the flat surfaces (roof, bonnet and boot) if the car was stationary.

[irvinnie]

Originally Posted by rancidpunx

This is basically what I already have on my car and cars that customers bring me. Genuine Paint Protective coatings like Ceramic Pro already use this technology, its just applied in the aftermarket rather than by the factory. The car will still need to be washed because of the way the coating would work. Whilst its very good at repelling dirt and grime, it will still build up if not attended to. Once there is a film of road grime any further dirt will then start to stick to that instead. Also as soon as you polish the paint any benefit will be removed with the polishing process. Swirls and scratches can still be introduced which still need polishing.

Think it is more like this http://youtu.be/BvTkefJHfC0

[rancidpunx]

Originally Posted by irvinnie

Think it is more like this http://youtu.be/BvTkefJHfC0

That stuff is pretty cool but is the same as what I mentioned. Nanotechnology cross linking structures. The stuff in the video is industrial only and will be removed from the car as soon as you polish. Its sprayed on top of the paint in a booth but the trick is getting it on the paint and set in a uniform glossy fashion. If you watch the Nissan video notice how the protected side has a matte finish to it. That may be a few years away still but it wont just be limited to cars. I can add around 30 microns to the paint of a car in a single application of Ceramic Pro (thats around a quarter of the primer/colour/and clear thickness or half is you own a new Mitsubishi) but it ends up giving the car a rainbow effect like oil in water. Around 2 microns is where we are at at the moment to give a nice clear finish in a single application, although it can be layed to thicken it up.
Heres some videos I have personally done to demonstrate its ability's over the last few years.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KN7ydTU9eLc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbg2tPhGhrU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vukrd-Dmi5o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLgJFUrTmAM