Research from Professor Jeff Youngblood's group is the cover highlight for the March 19, 2008 edition of Macromolecular Rapid Communications. The fogging response of clean glass (left) and surfactant-based coating (right) after being removed from -20C freezer to a humid laboratory environment. The mechanism of light scattering in an individual droplet responsible for fogging is illustrated on left inset. A schematic of surface modification mechanism is displayed on right inset. Traditional anti-fog coatings are limited in their performance due to contamination by oil-based foulants. The surfactant-based coating is self-cleaning as it is readily wetted by water yet remains oil-repellent which enhances its use as an extended lifetime anti-fog coating.

For more on research from Professor Youngblood's group see https://engineering.purdue.edu/MSE/People/Faculty/jpyoungb/index.html