AN environmentally friendly antifreeze that also deters graffiti artists is
being patented by Leonard Haslim of California (WO 00/00568). Motorists use
conventional antifreeze, ethylene glycol, to de-ice their windscreens and
airlines need it to prevent the wings of planes icing up. But the run-off can
pollute local water courses. Haslim鈥檚 spray is a mixture of propylene glycol and
propanol, which lowers the freezing point of water, and xanthan, which makes the
fluid stick to surface it is de-icing. The same mixture also stops ice forming
on car windows and road signs, and foils graffiti artists because spray paint
won鈥檛 stick to a treated sign.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Technology
Feeding our books into generative AI risks creating a cultural void
91色情片
Technology
Quantum computing may be facing a replication crisis
News
Technology
Rogue hacking AIs have changed the cybersecurity landscape
News
Technology
Test moderators use AI-generated writing to judge literacy standards
News
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles