Self-cleaning glass from China uses electric fields to remove dust

Chinese scientists at Zhejiang University have developed an innovative self-cleaning glass that uses electric fields to remove dust and particles from its surface efficiently. This thin, transparent glass (0.62 mm thick) is embedded with electric-field-driven electrodes that can clean itself within seconds, erasing up to 98% of both organic and inorganic particles without the need for water, chemicals, or significant energy. The technology leverages the unexpected behavior of charged particles exposed to alternating electric fields, causing some particles to reverse direction or jump off the surface entirely, enabling effective dust removal even in dry, dusty conditions where traditional cleaning methods struggle. Beyond removing existing dust, the glass also prevents new dust from settling by deflecting charged airborne particles, a phenomenon the researchers call the "particle shielding effect," which reduces dust buildup by nearly 90%. The glass maintains high transparency, with minimal reduction in visible light and most light loss occurring in the infrared spectrum, making it suitable for applications requiring clear visibility and energy efficiency, such as