In nature, there is no such thing as dirt: mud and dust are simply part of the ecosystem. But when it comes to human infrastructure and technology, they often become a problem—reducing visibility through windows or compromising the efficiency of photovoltaic panels. Conventional cleaning methods involve high economic and environmental costs, occupational risks, and significant water and detergent consumption. Fortunately, recent technological advances are paving the way for self-cleaning glass that could transform how we manage urban surfaces—and generate energy that is quite literally clean.
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Developed by scientists at Zhejiang University in China, the innovation relies on manipulating electrical forces. They have created transparent glass coated with indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes, insulated by a PET film, and designed with a structure that acts like a runway for dust particles. When a specific electric signal is applied, the surface expels the dust in under 10 seconds, with an efficiency of more than 97%. Once clean, the electric field also plays a protective role, preventing new particles from settling during operation.
Cleaning without water is not a new idea—nature already offers clear examples, like the lotus leaf, which stays clean thanks to superhydrophobic microscopic structures. However, these natural systems depend on environmental humidity, which limits their use in dry areas or space applications.
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This new type of self-cleaning glass uses a quartz base layer, onto which ITO electrodes are laser-etched, before being covered with PET film. The system harnesses electrostatic forces: the electric field displaces and expels both organic and inorganic particles using a combination of pushing and pulling mechanisms—mainly Coulomb and dielectrophoretic forces—which overcome the adhesive forces caused by van der Waals interactions.
If this technology proves viable for mass production, the benefits could be wide-ranging:
- It could keep the windows and facades of tall buildings clean without the need for human intervention—cutting labour costs and reducing the risk of accidents.
- It would boost the efficiency of solar panels and photovoltaic glass by ensuring their surfaces remain dust-free and fully operational.
- It could facilitate hygiene and transparency in large glass surfaces in public transport, shop windows and hospitals, where cleanliness standards are key.
- And it offers a scalable, water-free cleaning solution ideal for dry or drought-prone regions where water conservation is critical.
The multifunctionality of next-generation glass extends well into the energy sector. New forms of photovoltaic glass are being developed that allow solar panels to be embedded in windows and building facades—maintaining transparency while generating clean electricity. As mentioned in this article, these panels use solar cells invisible to the naked eye to harness sunlight without compromising aesthetics.
It is not hard to imagine a future where glass facades remain crystal-clear at the touch of a button while also feeding energy into the grid.
If you are curious about more multifunctional surface technologies, explore our article on pollution-eating windows. And beyond glass, new paints are also being developed to support passive cooling in buildings. Together, these emerging materials represent a new generation of sustainable design solutions built to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
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David is a journalist specializing in innovation. From his early days as a mobile technology analyst to his latest role as Country Manager at Terraview, an AI-driven startup focused on viticulture, he has always been closely linked to innovation and emerging technologies.
He contributes to El Confidencial and cultural outlets such as Frontera D, driven by the belief that the human and the technological can—and should—go hand in hand.