Who would have thought that toilets could be a hot topic of discussion? Well, it seems that researchers have developed a rather unusual 3D printed material that is incredibly slippery, making it ideal for toilets. Now, before you start scratching your head and wondering why on earth anyone would bother with creating a slippery toilet, let me explain the reasoning behind this invention.
You see, flush toilets waste a significant amount of water every day due to the unavoidable sticking of human waste to the toilet surfaces. But with a super-slippery toilet surface, this adhesion can be greatly reduced, resulting in water conservation. And in regions where water is becoming expensive, this innovation could potentially be a game-changer.
Now, at first, I was puzzled. How on earth did they make a 3D printed object so smooth and slippery? Usually, 3D printed objects have rough and porous surfaces that are anything but slippery. But, as it turns out, they used a selective laser sintering 3D printing technology to create an abrasion-resistant super-slippery flush toilet (ARSFT). By infusing the print with lubricants through a powder-sintered strategy, they were able to achieve the desired slippery properties.
The researchers even tested the surface with highly sticky substances like honey, starch gel mixed congee, and yes, even sticky synthetic feces. And guess what? The surface resisted adhesion and remained as slippery as ever. But what’s truly fascinating is that the lubricant doesn’t wear down easily. Even after being abraded to a thousand cycles using sandpaper, the ARSFT maintained its super-slippery capability.
Beyond the world of self-cleaning toilets, this discovery opens up a whole new realm of possibilities. The idea of infusing porous materials with different liquids is intriguing. Who knows what other properties can be imparted to 3D printed objects by using various liquids? It seems like there’s a whole new area of investigation waiting to be explored.
So, while toilets may not be the most glamorous topic, this innovation certainly proves that even the most mundane things can have groundbreaking applications. Who knows what other surprises await us in the world of 3D printing?
