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

起雾是一个很常见的问题，每个人都遇到过，是否呢？卫生间镜子、挡风玻璃、运动和安全护目镜或军用遮阳板上。当温度或湿度突然变化时，由于凝结的微小水滴阻止光线通过，任何表面都可能形成雾。当它出现在镜子，眼镜和窗户上时，雾不仅令人沮丧，而且还提出了一个非常危险但持续的问题，特别是对于车辆操作员，体育参与者和戴安全护目镜的工人。I-Corps项目？福克克？在马萨诸塞州大学的研究将建立在卡特研究小组发起的基础上。新的防雾技术和材料已经被发现，这个I-Corps团队的目标是使这些科学创新更接近于造福社会的产品和工艺。该项目将有助于纳米纤维素材料的可持续发展和应用，旨在减少使用不可降解的石油化学材料和保护环境。I-Corps计划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。该计划的结果将是一个明确的去或不去决定有关的防雾技术的商业化，该项目的过渡计划，并为潜在的合作伙伴的技术演示。I-Corps项目，“Fogkicker”，在马萨诸塞州大学将建立在基本的NSF赞助的研究起源于卡特研究小组。新的防雾技术和材料已经被发现，这个I-Corps团队的目标是使这些科学创新更接近于造福社会的产品和工艺。FogKicker由纳米纤维素制成，纳米纤维素是一种天然纳米材料，可以从废纸，木材或植物中提取。纳米纤维素是一种非常亲水的材料，其容易且有效地吸收水。为了制造FogKicker，将纳米纤维素添加到稀释的水溶液中，这使得该溶液可以应用于各种表面。当FogKicker干燥时，它会在其应用的表面上创建一个亲水涂层。这种亲水涂层吸收水分，防止雾在涂层处凝结;这就是FogKicker防止任何表面上形成雾的原因。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，包装和建筑领域具有广泛的应用。I-Corps计划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。该计划的结果将是关于防雾技术商业化的明确决定，该项目的过渡计划以及潜在合作伙伴的技术演示。

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.