Swiss scientists have developed an ultra-thin transparent gold-based coating capable of converting sunlight into heat.

It can be applied to glasses, car headlights and other surfaces to prevent them from fogging, writes Nature Nanotechnology.

Anyone who wears glasses has experienced fogging of their lenses.

Usually this happens when a person enters a warm room from the street in winter.

Scientists from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich have found a way to save people with glasses from this problem.

The coating developed by the researchers consists of two ultra-thin layers of titanium oxide, serving as an electrical insulating material, between which are tiny clusters of gold.

The thickness of the coating is only 10 nanometers.

Its main characteristic is the selective absorption of sunlight.

The coating absorbs most of the infrared radiation, thus heating up to 8 degrees Celsius.

This prevents condensation.

At the same time, radiation in the visible range is practically not absorbed by the coating, which is why it remains transparent.

Scientists also note that very little gold is needed for its production, which makes the material relatively cheap.

The ultra-thin coating can be easily integrated into standard coatings.

It is also suitable for application on flexible bases and does not break when bent, adds BTA.