A coating for reducing interaction between a surface and the environment around the surface includes an alkali silicate glass material configured to protect the surface from environmental corrosion due to water or moisture. The alkali silicate glass material is doped with a first element to affect various forms of radiation passing through the coating. The electromagnetic radiation is at least one of ultraviolet, x-ray, atomic (gamma, alpha, beta), and electromagnetic or radio wave radiation. The coating may also be used to protect a solar cell from the environment and UV rays while retransmitting received light as usable light for conversion into electrical energy. The coating may also be used to prevent whisker formation in metal finishes of tin, cadmium, zinc, etc.