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Employees at ETH Zurich have developed a special film that, when damaged, releases very hot foam to protect against malicious acts. Scientists propose using similar technology to protect against vandalism and theft at ATMs.
The developed film is a huge set of microscopic plastic honeycombs, located one above the other and filled with hydrogen peroxide and manganese dioxide. When the structure of the honeycomb is damaged, the two substances mix and create a foam whose temperature is 80° C.
Scientists were inspired by the defense mechanism of the Bombardier Beetle. The essence of the mechanism is that, sensing a threat, the insect releases a powerful chemical spray that forces any predator to retreat. The spray consists of hydroquinone and hydrogen peroxide (they are stored in two separate glands of the insect), which are mixed in a special tank, and then heated to 100 ° C and released towards the aggressor.
The author of the development, Professor Wendelin Jan Stark, believes that his foam is perfect for protecting ATMs from thieves and vandals, since the current protection options for cash machines are very complex and expensive to produce, and the cost of this film will vary within $40
As part of the test Scientists added blue paint and DNA nanoparticles to plastic honeycombs. Once the film was damaged, it released the ink, rendering the notes useless. Moreover, each banknote has been tagged with DNA particles, making them more traceable in the long run.
The developed film is a huge set of microscopic plastic honeycombs, located one above the other and filled with hydrogen peroxide and manganese dioxide. When the structure of the honeycomb is damaged, the two substances mix and create a foam whose temperature is 80° C.
Scientists were inspired by the defense mechanism of the Bombardier Beetle. The essence of the mechanism is that, sensing a threat, the insect releases a powerful chemical spray that forces any predator to retreat. The spray consists of hydroquinone and hydrogen peroxide (they are stored in two separate glands of the insect), which are mixed in a special tank, and then heated to 100 ° C and released towards the aggressor.
The author of the development, Professor Wendelin Jan Stark, believes that his foam is perfect for protecting ATMs from thieves and vandals, since the current protection options for cash machines are very complex and expensive to produce, and the cost of this film will vary within $40
As part of the test Scientists added blue paint and DNA nanoparticles to plastic honeycombs. Once the film was damaged, it released the ink, rendering the notes useless. Moreover, each banknote has been tagged with DNA particles, making them more traceable in the long run.
