Nano technology - Never have to clean your bike again?

[HovR]

I saw this video, and started thinking about how this technology could be applied to cycling. Amazing stuff really - Could have all sorts of applications.



In the video below, one shoe has been treated with a superhydrophobic spray, the other hasn't. Now imagine this on your bike. Oh, and excuse the music.

 

[fossyant]

Mr sheen would go bust. Can't have that.

 

[Headgardener]

Why is there 1 minute 48 seconds of blackness in the second clip?

 

[Archie_tect]

Jiust don't get sweaty or go out riding your bike in the rain with that stuff on it... you'd be off in seconds!! + don't get it on your tyres and brake blokes/ rims.

 

[HovR]

Why is there 1 minute 48 seconds of blackness in the second clip?

Apparently the person who created the video does not know how to trim the soundtrack down to the same length as the video, so the video editing software added in 1:48 of blackness so the soundtrack could keep on playing.

 

[Headgardener]

Apparently the person who created the video does not know how to trim the soundtrack down to the same length as the video, so the video editing software added in 1:48 of blackness so the soundtrack could keep on playing.

Ah! I see although it wouldn't be to bad if it was something worth listening to.

 

[HovR]

Jiust don't get sweaty or go out riding your bike in the rain with that stuff on it... you'd be off in seconds!! + don't get it on your tyres and brake blokes/ rims.

I don't see how riding in the rain with this would cause you to fall off? As long as you didn't apply it to any parts that require friction with wet surfaces (tires etc).

I personally wouldn't apply it to my clothing, for the same reason I don't cycle in waterproofs when it isn't raining.

 

[ianrauk]

But I love cleaning my bikes.

 

[MacB]

But I love cleaning my bikes.

Deep breaths Ian, it's ok mate, we understand

 

[Archie_tect]

....as long as you didn't apply it to any parts that require friction with wet surfaces.

...exactly.

 

[Archie_tect]

But I love cleaning my bikes.

Form a queue in front of me Ian.

 

[TheDoctor]

But...if that was built into cycle wear, how would you wash it?
Wouldn't it get really minging after a few wears, or would the sweat just sort of fall off?
*baffled*

 

[MacB]

But...if that was built into cycle wear, how would you wash it?
Wouldn't it get really minging after a few wears, or would the sweat just sort of fall off?
*baffled*

I wondered that, had a look at the website and can't find any specifics on breathability either.

 

[HovR]

But...if that was built into cycle wear, how would you wash it?
Wouldn't it get really minging after a few wears, or would the sweat just sort of fall off?
*baffled*

I don't think it would work very well for clothing as it wouldn't be very breathable, rather more like wearing cheap waterproofs.

I was thinking of its potential more as an option you could have on your frame (as I personally don't like cleaning road dirt off my bike that much). Any muddy/dirty water flung up onto the frame would just fall off, not drying leaving dirt deposits on the frame. If dry dirt was to land on the frame, a quick squirt with the hose pipe would knock it off, and the frame would practically dry itself! Also, rust prevention.

I think the easiest way to think of it is as a protective layer over the item that has been treated. Dry matter can sit on top of this layer - water can also be on this layer, but will try to shoot off. To wash the item, simply apply water - The water will pick up the dirt off the protective layer and shoot off carrying the dirt with it, due to the super-hydrophobic properties.

This sort of technology is already being uses in the automotive world, on car windscreens and off road vehicles to keep them clean and dry.

Interesting stuff