New Nanotech Fabric Never Gets Wet 231
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."
Re:funny but. (Score:1, Informative)
My thoughts exactly. All high-efficiency watercraft seem to rely on putting a layer of air between the craft and the water, so this should be a good match.
Re:Is this a good idea? (Score:4, Informative)
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? (Score:4, Informative)
It didn't say it was Babyback Rib grease proof, just waterproof. There are an awful lot of tasty stain-producing things out there that aren't water-based.
Have you ever eaten sardines in mustard sauce, or better yet, John West Kippers in Sunflower oil [cameronsbritishfoods.com]? As I say, "If you ain't got sauce all up in your eyebrows, you ain't doing it right."
Re:Is this a good idea? (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Is this a good idea? (Score:3, Informative)
As millions of high school wrestlers will attest, wearing an impermeble garment can be done. Hell, I used to SLEEP in a loose PVC top to sweat off water before a match. The possible consequences include dehydration, heat stroke/exhaustion, and repelling your love ones with your stench.
Re:Is this a good idea? (Score:5, Informative)
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.
old news. but cool! (Score:5, Informative)
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 [youtube.com]
Re:Is this a good idea? (Score:2, Informative)
How the hell is this insightful?
Chemically, yes they are the exact same thing.
Physically, they're always present together in dynamic equilibrium. There is always a vapor pressure with liquid water, at least at the temps & pressures of clothing.
Re:Is this a good idea? (Score:5, Informative)
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:Is this a good idea? (Score:2, Informative)
Read the article.
It's not a 'coating'.
Re:Is this a good idea? (Score:4, Informative)
From the article (emphasis mine):
"Lead researcher Stefan Seeger at the University of Zurich says the fabric, made from polyester fibres coated with millions of tiny silicone filaments"
Re:Is this a good idea? (Score:3, Informative)
The new coating is produced in a one-step process, in which silicone in gas form condenses onto the fibres to form nanofilaments. The coating can also be added to other textiles, including wool, viscose and cotton, although polyester currently gives the best results.
I dunno, the article's description makes it sound suspiciously like a coating to me
Re:funny but. (Score:1, Informative)
Because some people really do read the article.
Fail. (Score:1, Informative)
"The combination of the hydrophobic surface chemistry and the nanostructure of the coating results in the super-hydrophobic effect," Seeger explained
Re:would make good table cloth (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Is this a good idea? (Score:3, Informative)
Bit like Gore-Tex, you mean?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gore_Tex [wikipedia.org]
Re:Is this a good idea? (Score:1, Informative)
Okay, game over. I can't tell if you're serious in telling me that I didn't get your joke. You either beat me in this game of stupidity-chicken, or are an idiot who didn't understand that my reply was a satire of a know-it-all.
To make it clear: just because a fabric never gets wet and bears are largely composed of water, it does not mean that the fabric in question is impervious to bears.