General Motors' UV‑enabled screens could end fingerprint woes

Fingerprints on touchscreens are a common problem that annoys many smartphone users. Engineers from General Motors have decided to find a solution that can be used in cars and other devices like phones and laptops.

Fingerprints on touchscreens are one of those small but annoying problems we encounter daily. In the era of advanced technologies, where interaction with screens has become standard in mobile devices and cars, manufacturers have started seeking innovative solutions to eliminate this problem. One of the leading players in this field is car manufacturers, introducing new technologies and materials that minimise the visibility of fingerprints on vehicle touchscreens. Innovative protective coatings, self-cleaning surfaces, and advanced methods of smudge elimination are just some of the solutions that could revolutionise user comfort with modern multimedia systems.

Modern touchscreens are becoming increasingly ubiquitous, but their surfaces easily get dirty, leaving greasy marks. Although there are wipes and foams for cleaning, they aren't ideal solutions. However, General Motors has a chance to change this, thanks to a patent granted in February 2023 by the US Patent Office. The patent can be seen here.

Standard LED screens have diodes emitting red, green, and blue light, creating a full range of colours. General Motors' new proposition involves adding a fourth diode that emits ultraviolet light. Although invisible to the human eye, it is key to activating the self-cleaning screen.

This technology involves coating the screen with a transparent layer of a photocatalyst, most likely titanium dioxide, already used in self-cleaning photovoltaic panels.

When titanium dioxide is exposed to ultraviolet light, it changes properties from hydrophobic to hydrophilic, attracting moisture from the air. This reaction generates free radicals that effectively break down organic contaminants on the screen surface, including fingerprints and grease.

Access to sunlight and UV radiation is natural in photovoltaic panels or windows, but the situation is different in car interiors. Therefore, GM engineers have envisaged additional UV diodes, creating a controlled environment. The self-cleaning process can be activated on demand or automatically when the car is started.

Although the patent belongs to General Motors and is initially meant for cars, this technology can also be used in other devices with touchscreens, such as laptops, tablets, or televisions. UV diodes can also be installed in frames around the display, making it a universal solution.

It's merely a patent, but if the technology proves successful, it could solve the problem of dirty screens for good. Touchscreens are practical, but they quickly get dirty, affecting their appearance and hygiene. One can only hope that this innovation will reach the market soon.