Over the years, our reliance on electronic devices has increased. Especially in the past few years, smartphones, smartwatches, and other personal gadgets have become more popular. They provide numerous features that help us stay in touch, monitor our well-being, and record important moments in our lives. They have indeed smoothly incorporated into our daily routines.
However, the presence of these innovations raises certain concerns. How durable are they? Will your smartphone survive an unexpected downpour? Can your smartwatch withstand a sweat workout session? Should either be removed when you take a quick dip in the pool?
Fortunately, technology is making progress in resolving these issues. Manufacturers are now focusing on adding features that enhance the durability of these electronic devices. They are working on making them have sun protection, moisture resistance, and waterproofing capabilities. That way, they can guarantee top performance in different environmental conditions, particularly in intense sunlight, humidity, light rain, downpours, accidental spills, and submerged.
With devices that possess these characteristics, you can enjoy many good experiences. You can participate in a variety of activities, whether indoors or outdoors, without always worrying about harming or damaging your devices.
Ways to Build a Barrier Against the Elements
Selecting the appropriate materials with care is the first step towards creating gadgets that are waterproof, resistant to moisture, and shielded from the sun. The following are examples of materials that are frequently used for these reinforcements:
Gaskets and Seals
These serve as the initial layer of protection against moisture. Usually, materials like silicone or rubber are used to make them. Water is kept out by the tight seal they produce. More resilient materials like Teflon or FEP may be employed in high-pressure applications, such as deep underwater use. Even in extreme circumstances, these maintain a stable barrier and are resistant to warping.
Conformal Coatings
These are thin protective coatings that are applied straight on circuit boards and other components. They serve as a barrier against dust, moisture, and even rust. Depending on the particular requirements of the device, different coating types—such as silicones, acrylics, and urethanes—offer differing degrees of flexibility, chemical resistance, and heat tolerance.
Metals and Plastics
Your device’s housing, or outside shell, is also a major factor in protection. Because aluminum alloys are lightweight and robust, they are a popular choice. To prevent corrosion, they get an additional layer of protection in the form of specialist coatings. Higher-grade plastics, such as polycarbonate or ABS, provide even more resilience against shocks and falls. These materials are resilient and won’t break easily.
Methods to Determine Waterproof, Moisture-Resistant, and Sun-Protection Ratings
If a manufacturer advertises and claims that their device is durable, don’t just believe them. You need to make an effort to learn the many rating schemes used in the industry. By having the right information, you can pick the ideal gadget for your requirements.
The two standard methods used to rate electronics for protection are the following:
1. Rating for Ingress Protection (IP)
This global grading system indicates the precise level of dust and water resistance of a device. It has a two-digit code, where the first number denotes water resistance and the second, dust protection.
2. Military specifications (MIL-STD)
Certain electronics, particularly those designed for tough usage, may be subjected to military standards testing to withstand even more extreme circumstances. This could involve exposure to torrential rains and extreme temperatures and humidity levels.
Testing Options for Durability and Reliability
Electronic devices have a strong foundation thanks to material choices. But extensive testing guarantees the resilience of these devices. The following are involved in the durability testing process:
Water Immersion Tests
In order to evaluate a device’s resistance to water intrusion, it is submerged in water for varied amounts of time and at different depths. This could entail modeling various pressure conditions to mimic real-world events, such as underwater photography.
Environmental Chambers
These rooms enable the controlled testing of UV radiation, high humidity, and extreme temperatures. To evaluate a device’s resilience to fading and solar damage, it is subjected to high humidity, sudden temperature changes, and simulated sunlight.
Drop and Impact Tests
To assess a device’s resistance to physical impact, it is dropped onto a variety of surfaces at controlled heights. This guarantees that they are resilient to common knocks and perhaps unintentional falls.
Importance of Balancing Protection and Functionality
A device’s user experience should be prioritized in addition to its ability to withstand the weather. Would you like a phone with an indestructible casing but unusable buttons or a touchscreen? Fortunately, manufacturers put this balance first by coming up with creative solutions.
Because maintaining functionality should be a top priority, specialized membranes are used to establish watertight seals made using 3D printing and other methods around ports and buttons. This ensures continuous operation even in the event of submersion. Moreover, advanced material treatments that repel water droplets without compromising responsiveness can be used to make touchscreens hydrophobic.
It can be challenging to strike the ideal balance between user pleasure and protection, though. Frequently linked with sturdy casings, bulky designs can be unwieldy and impair usage. Manufacturers are looking into novel materials to remedy this, such as polymers that are tougher but thinner and protective components that are positioned strategically to produce a slimmer profile. Moreover, inventive design strategies that incorporate fingerprint sensors into power buttons might further simplify the user interface.
With all that said, the primary goal is to design a gadget that skillfully combines usability and security.
Conclusion
Manufacturing durable electronics is not only about material selection. It also involves rigorous durability testing to ensure that these devices can withstand the harshest environments. Also, true innovation lies in striking a balance between protection and user experience. Manufacturers should come out with electronic gadgets that endure, without sacrificing user comfort and enjoyment. As technology progresses, we can expect even more exciting advancements in device protection, allowing us to explore the world with our electronics by our side, with ever-growing confidence.
External links:
1https://www.quora.com/What-materials-do-I-need-to-create-a-waterproof-smartwatch
2https://kospet.com/blogs/article/is-the-smartwatch-waterproof-a-comprehensive-guide
4https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Military_Standard
