I-Corps: FogKicker: An Anti-Fogging Coating Based on Sustainable Materials

起雾是大家都遇到过的一个很常见的问题，是不是呢？在浴室镜子，挡风玻璃，运动和安全护目镜，或军用遮阳镜上。当温度或湿度突然变化时，由于微小的水滴凝结而阻止光线通过，任何表面都能形成雾。当雾出现在镜子、眼镜和窗户上时，它不仅令人沮丧，而且对车辆操作员、体育运动员和戴护目镜的工人来说，这是一个非常危险但持续存在的问题。I-Corps项目？Fogkicker吗?马萨诸塞大学的研究人员将在美国国家科学基金会资助的卡特研究小组的基础上进行研究。新的防雾技术和材料已经被发现，这个I-Corps团队的目标是将这些科学创新更接近于有利于社会的产品和工艺。该项目将有助于纳米纤维素材料的可持续发展和应用，旨在减少不可降解石油化学基材料的使用，保护环境。I-Corps项目提供的指导和资金将加速这种新型防雾技术的发展，并有助于吸引新的第三方资金。该项目的结果将是关于防雾技术商业化的明确决定，项目的过渡计划以及潜在合作伙伴的技术示范。麻省大学的I-Corps项目“Fogkicker”将以美国国家科学基金会（nsf）资助的卡特研究小组的基础研究为基础。新的防雾技术和材料已经被发现，这个I-Corps团队的目标是将这些科学创新更接近于有利于社会的产品和工艺。FogKicker是由纳米纤维素制成的，这是一种可以从废纸、木材或植物中提取的天然纳米材料。纳米纤维素是一种非常亲水的材料，它容易和有效地吸收水。为了制造FogKicker，将纳米纤维素添加到稀释的水溶液中，这使得溶液可以应用于各种表面。当FogKicker干燥后，它会在表面形成一层亲水性涂层。这种亲水性涂层吸收水分，防止雾凝结涂层应用的地方；这就是FogKicker如何防止在任何表面上形成雾。为了制定FogKicker解决方案，该团队还开发了一种提取纳米纤维素的新工艺，该工艺在汽车、航空航天、包装和建筑领域有着广泛的应用。I-Corps项目提供的指导和资金将加速这种新型防雾技术的发展，并有助于吸引新的第三方资金。该项目的结果将是关于防雾技术商业化的明确决定，项目的过渡计划以及潜在合作伙伴的技术示范。

Fogging is a very common problem that everyone has encountered, whether it?s on bathroom mirrors, windshields, sports and safety goggles, or military visors. Upon a sudden change of temperature or humidity, fog can form on any surface as a result of condensed tiny water droplets which prevent the passing through of light. Fogging is not only frustrating when it appears on mirrors, glasses, and windows, but also presents a very dangerous yet persistent concern, especially for vehicle operators, sports participants, and workers with safety goggles. The I-Corps project, ?Fogkicker?, at the University of Massachusetts will build upon fundamental NSF-sponsored research originating in the Carter research group. New anti-fogging technologies and materials have been discovered and the goal of this I-Corps team will be to bring these scientific innovations closer to products and processes that will benefit society. This project will contribute to sustainable development and application of nanocellulose materials, targeting at reducing the use of non-degradable petroleum chemical based materials and protecting the environment. The mentoring and funding provided by the I-Corps program will accelerate the development of this new antifogging technology and help attract new third-party funding. The outcomes of the program will be a clear go or no-go decision regarding the commercialization of the anti-fogging technology, a transition plan for the project, and a technology demonstration for potential partners.The I-Corps project, "Fogkicker," at the University of Massachusetts will build upon fundamental NSF-sponsored research originating in the Carter research group. New anti-fogging technologies and materials have been discovered and the goal of this I-Corps team will be to bring these scientific innovations closer to products and processes that will benefit society. FogKicker is made from nanocellulose, a natural nanomaterial that can be extracted from waste paper, wood, or plants. Nanocellulose is an extremely hydrophilic material, which readily and efficiently absorbs water. To make FogKicker, nanocellulose is added to a dilute aqueous solution, which allows the solution to be applied to a variety of surfaces. When FogKicker dries, it creates a hydrophilic coating on the surface it is applied to. This hydrophilic coating absorbs moisture, preventing fog from condensing where the coating is applied; this is how FogKicker prevents the formation of fog on any surface. To formulate the FogKicker solution, the team has also developed a novel process for the extraction of nanocellulose, which has broad applications in automotive, aerospace, packaging, and construction. The mentoring and funding provided by the I-Corps program will accelerate the development of this new antifogging technology and help attract new third-party funding. The outcomes of the program will be a clear go or no-go decision regarding the commercialization of the anti-fogging technology, a transition plan for the project, and a technology demonstration for potential partners.