Everwide newsletter No.463

Experiment § GF254 Cold Chain Anti-Fog Film

Whenever we move from a freezing environment to room temperature, eyeglass wearers or operators of vehicles frequently entering and exiting cold storage often experience “foggy vision.” This is caused by water vapor in the air condensing into droplets or mist upon encountering low temperatures. To address this issue, we developed GF254 Anti-Fog Film for the cold chain market. The film is made by coating anti-fog resin onto PET film and can be applied to window glass to reduce fogging caused by low temperatures (Figure 1). Compared with conventional films, GF254 maintains clear visibility even after being removed from a -20 °C freezer and allowed to warm for 2 minutes (Figure 2). The product’s anti-fog performance remains stable even after repeated wiping with organic solvents or immersion in room-temperature water for 24 hours, with no deposition or loss of function on the film surface, demonstrating its long-lasting durability (Figures 3 and 4). For any inquiries or requirements regarding this product, please feel free to contact us.            

  — Ms. Hsiao-Yi Hsieh

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Activity § Beach Cleanup to Protect Our Coast

In September, we held our second-half-of-the-year beach cleanup, continuing to rally everyone to protect the marine environment. In the past, we provided bottled water to participants, but a thoughtful colleague pointed out, “While we’re cleaning up plastic waste, we’re creating more plastic waste—doesn’t that seem contradictory?” This insight deeply resonated with us and highlighted our team’s commitment to environmental protection. From then on, we switched to large beverage dispensers and reusable cups, making the activity more aligned with sustainability and putting the principle of “reducing plastic starts with daily habits” into practice. After the cleanup, participants visited the Kouhu-based MuYiKa DIY Leisure and Tourism Factory to explore the facility and create hooks. The event concluded successfully, and we look forward to joining everyone again next year to continue caring for our coastline.

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Knowledge § Applications of Self-Assembled Polymers

Self-assembled polymers used for toughening thermosetting materials can generate a large number of nanosized particles. The core exhibits rubber-like characteristics, enhancing the material's toughness, while the outer shell facilitates strong interfacial bonding between the rubbery core and the resin matrix. Compared with liquid rubber toughening agents, self-assembled polymers produce a higher number of smaller, uniformly shaped rubber particles, which are considered their advantages. A drawback of using self-assembled polymers is the relatively high viscosity when dissolved in the resin. Similar to liquid rubbers, these polymers undergo phase separation during resin curing, so the compatibility between the polymer and the resin significantly affects the toughening efficiency. Different resin formulations may require different types of self-assembled polymers, which need to be determined experimentally.

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Living § My Photography Journey and Reflections

Photography is a way to observe the world and analyze situations. To capture the ideal view of the Milky Way, I use a large aperture and long exposure, assisted by a stargazing app to predict its position, often waiting patiently for hours late at night. When photographing Kinkaku-ji in the snow, with its unpredictable weather, I chose a small aperture to preserve the details of both the architecture and the snow, continuously adjusting exposure and composition until the fleeting moment of sunlight revealed the perfect shot. These experiences have taught me to observe, judge, and adapt in the face of change. In daily photography, I also select settings according to the environment and subject: small apertures with appropriate shutter speeds during the day for high-quality images, and small apertures with long exposures at dusk to capture the dynamic rhythm of city lights and car trails. Different scenes require different techniques, and this flexible, adaptive thinking has quietly influenced the way I solve problems in my work. Photography trains me to view the world from multiple perspectives and to find order and rhythm amidst variability. Every shoot is like a small experiment, requiring observation, experimentation, and adjustment until the envisioned image is captured. I love photography not only for the sense of accomplishment it brings in the final image, but also for the focus and calm it cultivates during the process of composing and waiting. It enriches my perspective and helps me approach challenges and uncertainty in both life and work with greater awareness.                                         — Mr. Guan-Ju Du