There is an interesting article in the
Independent regarding a paper published (paywall) in the
Science Journal about a new Superhydrophobic perfluorosilane-coated titanium dioxide nanoparticle
paint that keeps clothes clean... AND can be used as
bottom paint.
Quote:
The hydrophobic tendency of the titanium-dioxide paint is so strong that when the bottoms of toy boats were coated with it they floated higher in the water. If the same coating could be applied to the hulls of full-size ships they would need between 10 and 15 per cent less fuel
|
claims Professor
Ivan Parkin,
head of chemistry at
University College London.
This material (if truly hydrophobic) could also help keep
boat bottoms clean.
There is no timetable as to the time to market of this material. But... a 5 year horizon is probably realistic.