A team of chemists and engineers at the University of California, Los Angeles, United States, has developed a method for coating large surfaces with nanofiber thin films that are both transparent and electrically conductive. The thin film is a result of a vigorous agitation of water, dense oil, and polymer nanofibers that spreads over virtually any surface, creating a film. Richard B. Kaner, a professor of chemistry and biochemistry and a professor of materials science and engineering, said “The beauty of this method lies in its simplicity and versatility. The materials used are inexpensive and recyclable, the process works on virtually any substrate, it produces a uniform thin film which grows in seconds and the entire thing can be done at room temperature.” These conductive plastic coatings could lead to new solar cells, windows, and sensors. Yang Yang, a professor of materials science and engineering, said “[C]onducting polymers have enormous potential in electronics, and because this technique works with so many substrates, it can be used in a broad spectrum of applications, including organic solar cells, light-emitting diodes, smart glass and sensors.” The team’s findings were published in the journal Proceedings of National Academy of Science.