Research Produces Coating for Ice Resistant Roads

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These products will never survive in real word aplications. First of all, the surfaces they have to be applied to have to be cleaned by sand or grit blasting to assure a compatible surface. Secondly, no one has demonstrated how they hold up under wear conditions. At this time, I believe that the coating thicknesses are minimal and will wear off under normal foot traffic. Any dirt present on a surface will prvent adhesion it's adhesion. With regard to using it on roads, that will never happen. The dirt, sand and constant vehicle traffic will prevent any surface bonding from occuring and continually expose non-treated surface artes toe the rain. Toxicity is another question, both in manufacture and use. I am also aware of some preliminary testing of the product done on electrical power lines - potentially a huge application.I believe that those tests failed miserably.As far as windshields go, Rain-ex will do the same job and it's cheap. Just a few thoughts from a wayward scientist!

Robert Einstein of PA 6:05PM November 28, 2009

IF NOT TOO EXPENSIVE WILL HAVE USEFUL APPLICATIONS. I LIKE IT.

JOHN F of IL 2:39PM November 11, 2009

Nice demonstration... little bit premature to extoll the virtues or panicking about dangers. These technologies are critical and needs further development. Already chemicals used for road construction is quite toxic if they leaches out.

SamD of WA 12:41PM November 10, 2009

It seems like the most useful application for this coating would be for airplanes. This would cut down the use of the De-icing solution that is used by airplanes in the winter season.
The other application could be automobile windshields.

SKS of TX 11:22AM November 10, 2009

this is completly dumb

bob jones of MT 12:57PM November 04, 2009

I'm also not sure we're not creating a monster health hazard when all this stuff finds its way into our lives before any real testing is done. I don't get a warm fuzzy right now from some of the scientific opinions I've read.

PR of TX 12:01PM November 04, 2009

I have heard of the inhalation dangers from breathing nanoparticles and wonder if were creating new dangers similar to the once widespread use of asbestos, every time I hear about them.

Marc M of CA 3:59PM November 03, 2009

I'm vitally interested. I have a metal garage door. I live in NC. It has frozen to the cement floor 3 times in last 2 years. I'm retired so the inconvenience is less, but shattering! Gargage door installers had no solution to offer.
I've now done a heat coil --- only just installed--- and wait for result. The disadvantage of heat coil is that electricity is needed and not always accessible when power fails.
This new technique is a sweet resolution for what may be only a minor problem in the wide world.

Doris Schaefer of NC 11:53AM November 03, 2009