Sparkling Sidewalks and Self-Cleaning Cars? What Will They Think Of Next?

In 2013, Dutch designer Daan Roosegaarde made headlines when he teamed up with Heijman's Infrastructure to build the world's first 'Smart Highway' in The Netherlands . Now, a British company called Pro-Teq has invented a product that can transform mundane sidewalks into 'Starpaths' - public paths that project a star-like glow, alleviating the need for street lights.

The 'glow' emanates from special particles that garner energy from the sun during the day and release it at night. What makes the product compelling is its low cost and ease of use. All the user needs to do is coat the desired area with a polyurethane glue base, apply the particles and then secure it all, with a biodegradable sealant.

Another big advantage is how rapid the transformation process is. The company says that its first Starpath installation, a 1,600-square-meter pathway of open space in Cambridge, England, took just thirty minutes to spray and a mere fours hours to dry and opened for use. Though this initial test has been conducted on a public open space, Pro-Teq believes there is no reason why Starpath cannot be used to illuminate playgrounds, as well as, private driveways! We for one, cannot wait!

Nissan's Self-Cleaning Cars

If that is not enough to excite you, how about a car that never needs to be washed? That is what the engineers at the Nissan Technical Center in UK are planning to introduce, with a new paint that can repel both water (hydrophobic) and oil (oleophobic). This means that it doesn't allow any dirt to stick to the surface of the car, keeping it sparkly clean, without constant trips to expensive car washes.

What's even more impressive is that 'Ultra-Ever Dry' paint can even slide off rain, spray, frost and sleet, making it 'ultra' useful for people that live areas that experience harsh winters. Though the paint technology is not new, this is the first time it is being used on cars. Nissan, who is still testing the paint, says that while it may never be a standard on all its vehicles, they are considering offering it as an option.

Resources: wired.com, fastcoexist.com