Drop free glass (DFG) is the world’s first electronic self-cleaning technology for optical sensors. DFG can promptly remove various contaminants on the surface of the sensors using an advanced microfluidic technology based on electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) principle. The EWOD driven DFG has outstanding advantages including fast operation speed (<1 s), low power consumption (<1 mW), and high durability (>1,000,000 cycles). For the first time, the DFG is applied to outdoor monitoring cameras for daily life safety and future industries such as smart factory and smart city; therefore, DFG-aided outdoor monitoring camera can always guarantee clear camera images even during rainfall.

Microsystems, Inc. developed the world's first electronic self-cleaning glass, named drop free glass (DFG), for optical sensors. DFG comprises transparent electrode patterns and robust hydrophobic dielectric layers that have been practically proven in various industries. Furthermore, DFG can be manufactured through standard semiconductor processes, such that the production capability and quality are well managed and controlled. DFG can promptly and efficiently remove various contaminants, such as water, fog, frost, and dust, generated on the surface of any type of substrate within 1 s through an advanced microfluidic technology based on the electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) principle. For the first time, Microsystems, Inc. applied DFG to outdoor monitoring cameras in CCTVs and surveillance systems to improve the visibility of the cameras under various environmental conditions. Hence, the DFG-aided outdoor monitoring camera always guarantees clear camera images, even though during rainfall, and provides a safe monitoring environment.

Outdoor monitoring cameras have been employed in various industrial fields from CCTV and surveillance systems to traffic control systems. As information and communication technologies are developing, the importance of monitoring cameras is growing in the modern society. However, because outdoor monitoring cameras are used under various environmental conditions, they are susceptible to various contaminants such as rain and dust, resulting in errors in the camera. To resolve such issues, some companies have attempted to incorporate mechanical cleaning devices such as wipers and fluid ejecting dispensers in their outdoor monitoring cameras. However, because these mechanical devices require bulky and heavy driving parts such as wiper motors and fluid tanks, there are limitations in minimizing the cleaning devices, and issues of periodically changing the wiper blade and charging the cleaning fluid. Other companies have attempted to apply super-hydrophobic coating to overcome these challenges; however, they are not durable, and there are limitations in the types and conditions of contaminants. Microsystems, Inc. first developed a DFG-aided outdoor monitoring camera to overcome the limitations of the existing cameras. The proposed DFG-aided outdoor monitoring camera uses only electrical signal controls to remove various contaminants without moving mechanical parts. Hence, there is no need for additional mechanical components, resulting in excellent durability, fast operation, and low power consumption (<1 mW).

1) World's first electronic self-cleaning technology operated by a unique microfluidic technology based on electrowetting-on-dielectric

Microsystems, Inc. developed the world’s first electronic self-cleaning glass, known as drop free glass (DFG), and obtained over 20 domestic and international patents for technology innovation. In September 2020, the technology was certified for New Excellent Technology, the nation's highest award for technology innovation, from the South Korean government. For the first time, a DFG-aided outdoor monitoring camera will be unveiled at the CES2022.

2) DFG-aided outdoor monitoring camera for secure monitoring in various environments

As information and communication technologies are developing, outdoor monitoring cameras not only monitor their surroundings but also recognize and analyze the surroundings of the camera. However, various environmental contaminants such as rain and dust can cause a functional failure of the camera. Hence, the DFG-aided outdoor monitoring camera with an advanced self-cleaning capability can have a far-reaching impact on various future industries such as smart factory and smart city.

3) Expandability of the creative DFG technology and its application in industries.

The proposed DFG is a major breakthrough in overcoming the limitations of existing cleaning methods. It can promptly remove various contaminants using only electrical signal controls without moving mechanical components resulting in outstanding advantages such as fast operation speed (<1 s), low power consumption (<1 mW), and high durability (>1,000,000 cycles). Therefore, DFG can be applied in various industrial fields such as automotive windshields that make wiper-free automobiles possible and construction of skyscrapers with constantly shining windows.