Rationally micropatterned antifogging hydrogels counteracting extreme condensation
Abstract
Loss of transparency due to water vapor condensation is a widespread problem across diverse applications such as windows, eyewear, displays, vehicles, and kitchenware. Conventional antifogging strategies relying on hydrophilic or hydrophobic coatings, based on chemistry and/or nano-topography, can counteract up to mild water deposition, but lose functionality at excessive condensation environments. Here, we present a passive approach, rationally micropatterning an inherently hydrophilic hydrogel to maintain high transparency under supersaturation. Guided by optics and wetting theory, and employing a diffusion model to calculate related timescales of water film formation, we engineer a wicking structure on poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate hydrogel, facilitating long-term sustainable filmwise condensation. Employing quantitative optical clarity measurements and visualization, we show that our approach clearly outperforms state-of-the-art antifogging alternatives, retaining high optical clarity even in boiling environments. Facile fabrication and superior performance establish our microstructured hydrogel as an excellent choice for sustaining transparency under extreme condensation.
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BibTeX
@article{park2026rationally,
title = {{Rationally micropatterned antifogging hydrogels counteracting extreme condensation}},
author = {Hyunchul Park and Cheuk Wing Edmond Lam and Iwan Haechler and Thomas M. Schutzius and Dimos Poulikakos},
journal = {Nature Communications},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1038/s41467-026-78429-5},
url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-78429-5},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Rationally micropatterned antifogging hydrogels counteracting extreme condensation
AU - Hyunchul Park
AU - Cheuk Wing Edmond Lam
AU - Iwan Haechler
AU - Thomas M. Schutzius
AU - Dimos Poulikakos
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/17
JO - Nature Communications
DO - 10.1038/s41467-026-78429-5
UR - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-78429-5
AB - Loss of transparency due to water vapor condensation is a widespread problem across diverse applications such as windows, eyewear, displays, vehicles, and kitchenware. Conventional antifogging strategies relying on hydrophilic or hydrophobic coatings, based on chemistry and/or nano-topography, can counteract up to mild water deposition, but lose functionality at excessive condensation environments. Here, we present a passive approach, rationally micropatterning an inherently hydrophilic hydrogel to maintain high transparency under supersaturation. Guided by optics and wetting theory, and employing a diffusion model to calculate related timescales of water film formation, we engineer a wicking structure on poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate hydrogel, facilitating long-term sustainable filmwise condensation. Employing quantitative optical clarity measurements and visualization, we show that our approach clearly outperforms state-of-the-art antifogging alternatives, retaining high optical clarity even in boiling environments. Facile fabrication and superior performance establish our microstructured hydrogel as an excellent choice for sustaining transparency under extreme condensation.
SN - 2041-1723
ER -