Anti-Fog Coatings for Spacesuit Helmets

The purpose of this project is to demonstrate the feasibility of applying a permanent anti-fog coating on the interior of polycarbonate spacesuit helmets. The coating uses a mechanically resilient and permanent Superhydrophobic (SH) coating consisting of an optically transparent Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) and a proven 2-step plasma processing technique to achieve an anti-fog, self-cleaning, SH-DLC layer with Water Contact Angle (WCA) >150° and small roll-off angle. The all-dry process consists of an oxygen plasma etching to engineer the surface of the polycarbonate to create a well-controlled nanotextured surface, which is key to superhydrophobicity, follow by physical vapor deposition of a thin DLC coating with low surface energy at a deposition temperature compatible with polycarbonate materials. The SH coating will be applied using Acree’s large volume batch coating systems and etchers.

The antifogging coating will be used on the interior of spacesuit helmets.

The coating can be used on such items as sun glasses, ski goggles, safety glasses, eye glasses, face shields, etc., where a permanent, tough, scratch and abrasion resistant, antifogging coating is highly desirable.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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