Tactile screens fingerprints just a bad memory

German scientists have found a solution to the numerous finger marks that are always left on tactile screen.

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research in Mainz, Germany, have recently come up some interesting developments for high-tech devices. One of their findings is a way of protecting glass from fingerprints.

To do this, the scientists have firstly heated a glass plate treated with soot by holding a candle under the test slides. A layer of silica was then applied to the glass, before heating it to 600 degrees Celsius. The results are than no human fat deposits or oils stick, instead rebounding from the glass.

Such treatments mean that no marks will be seen on smartphone and tablet tactile screens in the future. Since the used technique also appears to work on other materials steel, aluminium and copper, the cases of devices could also be treated by the same process.