Unravelling DNA

Researchers at the Ohio State University have discovered a way to manipulate tiny plastic fibres to create seemingly smooth surfaces that could be used in applications ranging from anti-fog technology to conducting electricity.

The scientists have created surfaces that appear flat and transparent as a sheet of glass, but on closer inspection, tiny fibres can be seen coating the surface.

The patent-pending technology involves growing a bed of fibres, tiny dots of polymer ‘seeds’ on a flat surface with vertical fibres coming out from the top of the seeds, until the scientists cut off the chemical reaction that modifies the fibres’ molecular structures, to form a ‘carpet’ of uniform height.

‘One of the good things about working with these polymers is that you’re able to structure them in many different ways,’ said Arthur Epstein, professor of chemistry and physics and director of Ohio State University’s Institute for Magnetic and Electronic Polymers. ‘Plus, we found that we can coat almost any surface with these fibres.’