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New Nanotech Fabric Never Gets Wet

Posted by timothy on from the good-for-lining-lunchboxes dept.

holy_calamity writes "New Scientist reports on a simple coating for polyester that renders it unwettable — even after two months underwater it emerges dry to the touch. Water cannot attach to the new fabric thanks to nanostructured filaments and a structure that traps a constant air layer. One potential use is for low-drag swim wear."

6 of 231 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Is this a good idea? by Andr+T. · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Even worse, you can't wash it:

    Unlike some water-resistant coatings, it remains more-or-less intact when the fabric is rubbed vigorously, although it didn't survive an everyday washing machine cycle.

    --

    Any life is made up of a single moment, the moment in which a man finds out, once and for all, who he is.

  2. funny but. by LWATCDR · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I was wondering if it could be used for Ships to lower their drag, or to line the inside of pipes.
    Not the fabric mind you but the coating.

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    See my blog http://ilovecookes.blogspot.com/ for light hearted technical information.
  3. would make good table cloth by nobodylocalhost · · Score: 4, Interesting

    i wonder if they tested this in oil. if it is both water resistant and oil resistant, it would make a very good material for table cloths, chair cover, couch cover, pillow cover, etc.

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    Where is the "Ignorant" mod tag?
  4. Re:Is this a good idea? by gmuslera · · Score: 3, Interesting

    What about oil, or grease or sticky substances in general?

    Maybe for normal clothing wont be good, but probably will have interesting applications in other fields.

  5. Practical applications by Leafheart · · Score: 5, Interesting

    There are many important places where we can use it, besides gain an edge on competitive sports (yeah, I know, money talks).

    • If the coating can be used on anything else, I say we have a pretty serious application on anything that deals with salty water.
    • Still on the topic of swimming, how good it is the thermal isolation on this things? Can it be made to better diving suits?
    • Ship sails that do not get wet.
    • Protective clothes and other fabric for people on icy\snowy places. Specially mountaineers and the guys down at Antarctica.
    • Is it only water or any liquid? I mean, can I spray alcohol and it won't stick? What about mud? Will it only be the earth particles on the cloth and the liquid will pour off?
    --
    --- "When you gotta do something wrong. You gotta do it right. (Fighter)"
  6. Swimwear? Seriously? by Taibhsear · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Talk about setting the bar low. What about skins for submersible craft. Stealth sub tech? I find it odd that, on /. of all places, the first thought to implement badass new technology is on sports...