The future of toilets 3D Printing could revolutionize water conservation.
Traditional toilets consume gallons of water with each flush, contributing to a significant waste of this precious resource. But what if there was a toilet that could drastically reduce water usage while maintaining optimal hygiene standards? Enter the world of 3D-printed toilets.
Conventional slippery toilet surfaces, like those coated with Teflon, offer initial slipperiness but often suffer from a lack of durability. As they endure regular usage, their slipperiness diminishes, necessitating the replacement of the coating or the entire toilet for continued effectiveness. Researchers at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, China, led by Yike Li, have unveiled a groundbreaking solution—a 3D-printed toilet that not only boasts exceptional slipperiness but also maintains this quality even when subjected to abrasion.
Li and his team embarked on this innovative journey by creating a miniature model of the toilet, approximately one-tenth the size of a standard version. They employed 3D printing technology to craft the toilet using a blend of plastic and hydrophobic sand grains. A laser fused these particles, forming a complex and resilient structure. To augment the slipperiness, the surface received a coating of silicone oil, which, notably, permeated beneath the surface due to the unique material composition of the toilet. The researchers conducted rigorous tests to evaluate the toilet’s performance. They subjected it to a range of substances, including muddy water, milk, yogurt, honey, starch-filled gel, and synthetic feces. Astonishingly, none of these materials adhered to the toilet’s surface. Remarkably, even after being rubbed with sandpaper over a thousand times, the toilet retained its slippery properties. This remarkable durability is attributed to the presence of the lubricant oil beneath the surface, ensuring that the slipperiness remains intact.
The implications of this innovation are profound. Traditional toilets consume vast quantities of water to ensure thorough flushing. In contrast, the 3D-printed slippery toilet could significantly reduce water usage, offering an environmentally friendly solution that aligns with the imperative of water conservation. This groundbreaking technology promises a more sustainable future, where every flush contributes to preserving this precious resource.
By Alex Wilkins. 3D-printed toilet is so slippery that nothing can leave a mark.
