This innovative design ensures that virtually nothing adheres to its surface. If this technology is scaled up, it has the potential to replace the traditional porcelain and ceramic toilet bowls that have been in use for centuries.
While porcelain and ceramic have been the go-to materials for toilet bowls for ages, this new ultra-slippery design could change the game. Remarkably, the toilet bowl is designed to be 3D-printed.
Demonstrations, as highlighted by New Scientist, reveal that almost no substance can cling to this bowl. Impressively, even after multiple uses and exposure to abrasive materials like sandpaper, the bowl retains its slippery nature.
One of the standout benefits of this ultra-slippery design isn't just its hygienic superiority. The non-adhesive nature of the bowl could lead to significant reductions in water consumption during flushing. This is a crucial step towards water conservation, especially in regions facing water scarcity.
The scientific team has termed this invention the abrasion-resistant super-slippery flush toilet (ARSFT). It's crafted from materials adept at repelling complex fluids and viscoelastic solids. Typically, such materials are vulnerable to mechanical abrasions.
However, the researchers have addressed this challenge, as detailed in their paper published in Advanced Engineering Materials. The material employed in this ultra-slippery toilet bowl can withstand even sandpaper, maintaining its unique properties.
