Thomas Shober; Jaxon Roller; Ashley Kennedy, University of Utah
Fogging lenses are a problem in athletics, science, health, mining, and other industries. Several studies have concluded that fogging goggles lead to injury and dramatically affect the performance of a user. Fogging on lenses is caused by the scattering of light by microscopic water droplets that form from by means of condensation. Using a hydrophilic layer chemically bonded to a polycarbonate substrate, water can be absorbed uniformly rather than in droplets. This allows the water to condense without giving up any clarity. The research conducted used a carboxymethyl cellulose and chitosan dip layer coating on polycarbonate. To strengthen the formed coating citric acid was used as a crosslinker. Polycarbonate slides with 15 bilayers of polysaccharides and a crosslinking solution comprised of citric acid and a catalyst of sodium hypophosphite exhibited excellent anti-fog properties and a robust coating.