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Additionally, structures modeled after lotus leaves allow water to roll off quickly. Meanwhile, super hydrophilic versions effectively prevent fogging. Remarkably, tests have demonstrated that 98% of the surfaces of these nano-structured materials remain dust-free simply through gravitational action—a particularly appealing feature for equipment used in space, such as satellites, where manual cleaning is not feasible.
While these new nano-structures may not match the scratch resistance of traditional sapphire, they excel in dust, fog, and glare repellence. With self-cleaning capabilities now a reality, the researchers are working towards scaling production to bring this advanced technology to market.