New Nanotech Fabric Never Gets Wet

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."

Comments

Is this a good idea?

[beh]

Water can't penetrate it - that means, rain stays outside... Good idea...

But it also means, all your sweat stays INSIDE... BAD idea...
I don't even want to know how soaked I'd feel after cycling for half an hour wearing a 'rain-coat' like that to keep me 'dry'!

Re:Is this a good idea?

[Andr T.]

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.

Re:Is this a good idea?

[FishAdmin]

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.

That's really not such a large deal; it repels liquids, and any solids could be sprayed off with a hose/faucet/whathaveyou. It couldn't really get dirty, so there would be no need to wash it beyond a surface rinse; the bigger threat is trapping your perspiration, like beh pointed out.

Re:Is this a good idea?

[fuzzyfuzzyfungus]

While some sort of one way fabric would be even better, and presumably awaits the next round of freaky nanotech, there is nothing stopping you from using macroscale features to deal with that problem. Strategically placed vent slits or similar should be able to let sweat out and allow a modicum of air circulation without letting rain in.

Cold weather gear would be trickier; but I suspect that the same basic mixed strategy approach would work.

Re:Is this a good idea?

[cowscows]

I'd imagine that with a little cleverness and effort, it'd be possible to come up with a rain jacket design that had a decent amount of venting in places that were adequately protected from rain. I own a jacket that has zippers under the armpits that you can open to allow some cooling. You still probably wouldn't be very comfortable running a marathon in it, but for day-to-day wear, I'm sure it could be quite comfortable. Designing in more venting wouldn't be impossible.

Re:Is this a good idea?

[simcop2387]

if its anything like other coatings, certain things like oils will get on it and you'll never get them out.

Re:Is this a good idea?

[theTrueMikeBrown]

I don't think that that would really be a problem - the sweat can still evaporate and leave as water vapor

Re:Is this a good idea?

[Muad'Dave]

Wouldn't it be nasty if the outside were hydrophobic and the inside hydrophylic - your sweat would be yanked into the material and violently ejected from the other side! You'd look like your own Vegas water fountain show as you ran along.

Re:Is this a good idea?

[Phase Shifter]

I don't even want to know how soaked I'd feel after cycling for half an hour wearing a 'rain-coat' like that to keep me 'dry'!

Liquid water can't adhere to the surface of the fibers. Water vapor should be able to penetrate the fabric just fine--which is exactly the way you want it if you plan to avoid heat exhaustion while biking.

Re:Is this a good idea?

[srussia]

Or as your name suggests it could be used to line the inside of a desert suit a la dune. Collect the moisture and recycle it.

Forget the water recycling, Muad'Dave just invented a perpetual motion machine! Although the buttered cat may constitute prior art.

Re:Is this a good idea?

[sexconker]

Give it to Mike Rowe.

Re:Is this a good idea?

[Anonymous Coward]

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

The porn industry is dying to know.

Re:Is this a good idea?

[DanZ23]

This is how Gore-Tex works. You can actually sit on water and it will not come thru the membrane, but water vapor passes thru.

Re:Welcome!

[Anonymous Coward]

Sounds like my wife, Ba-ZING!

funny but.

[LWATCDR]

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.

Re:funny but.

[gblackwo]

I wouldn't want that anywhere near my water supply, 10 years later if that stuff flakes off, that could do some nasty stuff to your digestive system.

would make good table cloth

[nobodylocalhost]

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.

More use than clothing.

[Anonymous Coward]

This stuff would be great under roofing tiles/shingles. This has FAR more uses than clothing.

Practical applications

[Leafheart]

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?

Swimwear? Seriously?

[Taibhsear]

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...

What, no snarky comment about Dune?

[marquis111]

Reminds me of what the Fremen used to coat their underwater water stores.

I wonder what new and strange water behavior could be observed in a container lined in this. Would there be a meniscus -- either convex or concave -- when water was put into it? Or would the water huddle nervously in the middle, unsure of what do with itself?

Re:Welcome!

[telchine]

I, for one, welcome our new unwettable overlords!

It's going to make wet T-shirt competitions far less entertaining :(

When it's underwater does it get wet?

[Anonymous Coward]

Does the water get it instead?
Nobody knows.
Particle Man.

Re:Welcome!

[UnanimousCoward]

Too bad for Bill that Monica's blue dress didn't have that coating. Oh wait, does it work on THAT substance too?

old news. but cool!

[famebait]

Superhydrophobic surfaces and textile coverings have been around for a little while.
The news here is the one-step solvent-free process,
which will make industrialization a lot cheaper.

Youtube has lots on "superhydrophobic" and "nanotech fabric/textile"

Here's a cool demo: they sink a white sofa into a read bath, and pull it out again spotless:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ytrQs1B5QY

Re:Welcome!

[Captain Hook]

I, for one, welcome our new unwettable overlords!

Shouldn't that be 'I, for one, welcome our new unwettable overcoats!' ?