The Latest in Glass Technology. Self Cleaning Glass

It's always a bit of a struggle to get out and clean the windows before a big party arrives so what if a self-clean glass was invented, that guarantees clean windows without any effort from you? Perfect!

The self cleaning Activ glass product holds a special nano-scale coating of microcrystalline titanium oxide that reacts to daylight and once it has reacted it breaks down any filth on the glass. This means no detergent is needed and when water hits it, a hydrophilic effect is created so the water and the dirt slide off.

At Pilkington's research centre Dr Kev Sanderson stated that 'It is based on titanium oxide which is used in toothpastes and sun creams' and by using this in a thin form, it means that it is ideal for using on glass so that it remains totally translucent. With a thick layer of power over the top and this special coating, it means the chemical reaction happens at a nano-scale which translates to one thousand millionth of a metre.

The invention of self cleaning glass absorbs ultraviolet radiation, which means that sunlight (which causes a photocatalytic effect) forces organic dirt to break off.

Another fascinating part of this creation is that when water hits the glass – because of the hydrophilic surface – its individual droplets attract each other, forming a sheet which for the dirt 'Destroys it naturally, as well as reducing the glue that other dirt can stick to on the surface.' This also means that glass dries cleanly without any smudges, which is the main priority for many people.

This is an end result of an environmentally friendly innovation after a long process of research and development. This has been going since the early 1990s and is a triumph for the 21st century.

Giving your local window company a ring to fit self cleaning glass does not only benefit you because it means that you do not have to clean your Upvc windows but also it increases people’s safety. Every year, windows cleaners are killed just by climbing onto a ladder and reaching up to the first floor in order to clean a window.

Dr Sanderson states that the risk of fatalities for window cleaners is reduced when using Activ because 'You can use a hose pipe to reach the first storey.' Using self cleaning glass will therefore reduce any risk of falling as no ladders need to be involved.

Posted: 12th Jan 2012
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