US EditionLong Fingernails vs. Touchscreens: This Nail Polish Could Help
Researchers created a clear nail polish using ethanolamine and taurine additives that can make long nails register on capacitive touchscreens, though it’s not yet consistent on nails.
- Researchers revealed at ACS that a clear nail polish can turn long fingernails into touchscreen styluses, as presented on March 23 at the American Chemical Society spring meeting in Atlanta.
- Because long nails block capacitive touches, the researchers targeted a clear polish solution after Manasi Desai approached Joshua Lawrence seeking a cosmetic-chemistry project to help affected users.
- Using 13 commercially available clear-coat polishes and more than 50 different additives, Manasi Desai found ethanolamine and taurine each created blobs that could activate touchscreens in tests.
- Researchers warned that the lacquer isn’t ready for store shelves, as ethanolamine’s toxicity and quick evaporation limit effectiveness, and they filed a provisional patent.
- The team says the formula likely works through acid–base chemistry mechanism where protons shift, and future work will add taurine to improve thin-coat performance, benefiting people with long fingernails or fingertip calluses through ongoing compound screening and formula refinement.
20 Articles
20 Articles
Daily Journal
New polish helps people with long nails use touchscreens
Scientists say a prototype nail polish could turn long nails into styluses for smartphones or tablets.
Nail Technology Emerges to Help Smartphone Touch with a Tap of Fingernails Instead of Fingertips; U.S. Researchers Unveil Results at American Chemical Society; Improving Toxicity and Durability Key to Commercialization. Welcome research findings have emerged for those who found it inconvenient to press smartphone screens due to long fingernails. U.S. researchers have found that when applied to the fingernails, touchscreen operation
Scientists Create Nail Polish That Lets You Use Your Phone With Your Nails
This futuristic, clear nail polish could finally make long nails touchscreen-friendly. Anyone who has tried using a smartphone or tablet with long nails knows it is not as simple as it should be. Instead of tapping naturally with your fingertips, you often have to angle your fingers awkwardly just to get the screen to respond. [...]
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 69% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
