University of Zurich Develops Uniquely Water-Resistant Fabric

Filed in archive Materials on November 28, 2008

The University of Zurich's Stefan Seeger this week announced the development of uniquely water-repellent nanotech fabric.

"By coating polyester fibers with millions of tiny silicone filaments, the fabric is made so hydrophobic that you could literally put your jacket into a bucket of water, let it sit for two weeks, pull it out and it would be dry as a bone," writes Future Blogger's John Heylin.

"The secret to this incredible water resistance is the layer of silicone nanofilaments, which are highly chemically hydrophobic," explains New Scientist's Jon Evans. "The spiky structure of the 40-nanometre-wide filaments strengthens that effect, to create a coating that prevents water droplets from soaking through the coating to the polyester fibres underneath."

"Not only could the fabric create a self-cleaning clothing; it reduces drag in water by 20%," writes Gizmodo's Mark Wilson. "In other words, Michael Phelps could go without washing his bathing suit ever again - a prospect that's probably in mixed demand depending on the specific sexual orientation of the fan..."

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