Pilkington Activ Glass

What is it

• It is a self cleaning glass for your home

• It eliminates dirt, smudges, finger prints, ect. Away from the window through the help of the sun and other natural means

How it works

• “The first stage of the cleaning process is "photocatalytic". In this stage the coating reacts with daylight to break down organic dirt.” –Pilkington.com

“The second stage is "hydrophilic". Here, instead of forming droplets, rainwater hits the glass and spreads evenly, running off in a "sheet" and taking the loosened dirt with it, also drying quickly without leaving streaks.” –Pilkington.com

Why does it work?

• The glass is coated in a thin film of titania which enables the UV light from the sun to loosen the dirt particles away from the glass.

• It also allows the the glass to become a superhydrophilic substance, when it is usually hydrophobic. Water spreads evenly over superhydrophilic substances and doesn’t streak.

Resources

• "Self-cleaning Glass." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 26 Apr. 2014. Web. 29 Apr. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-cleaning_glass>

• "How Self-Cleaning Glass Works." How Does It Work? N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2014. <http://www.pilkington.com/en-gb/uk/householders/types-of-glass/self-cleaning-glass/how-does-it-work>.