Scientists in China may have just reinvented the toilet bowl
A group of scientists in China have created an ultra-slippery toilet bowl that can repel almost any type of liquids or solids.
https://bgr.com/science/scientists-in-china-may-have-just-reinvented-the-toilet-bowl/Open linkView original on kbin.social
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Original paper says its mainly polypropylene powder, sintered and porous, has silica powder and silicon oil within.
Porous? How does that work for making a surface more slippery?
From what I skimmed, its slippery properties comes from mainly "hydrophobic silica powder distributed among polypropylene powder. Silicone oil is sprayed afterwards to protect it from abrasion and other mechanical force. Even it wears down, all components (hydrophobic silica and lubricant oil) are present on new surface because it's built porous so the slippery property will be maintained.
Oh, got it, thanks for that
The porous structure actually holds the silicone oil like a sponge, so when the surface gets abraded or worn down, there's always more lubricant ready to seep out and maintain the slipperyness - it's basically self-healing becuase the entire material is impregnated with the oil, not just coated.
My question while reading the article is “what material is this?” The answer doesn’t seem to be in the linked scientific paper either, just that it is “Fabricated by a Selective Laser Sintering 3D Printing Technology”. I assume that means some kind of glass.
I know folks that shall take that as a challenge.
I leave a wake of dumbfounded cleaning ladies behind me as I go
Clearly these are for Chinese poops. American poops wouldn't fit down that little hole. Also what use is sliding when their poo is already rock solid and bounces down on its own?
Great! Now my poops can slide down the toilet like a chocolate river while leaving my porcelain throne squeeky clean!