The new waterproof material
Scientists from Switzerland have developed a new material which is completely waterproof and they say that it’s the most water-repellent material ever created.
At the University of Zurich, a team of researchers led by Stefan Seeger developed the fabric from polyester fibres combined with millions of silicone filaments. Drops of water stay as spherical as possible on top of the material (see image). A jet of water just bounces, leaving no traces on the fabric.
What is actually the secret behind this material? It’s the silicone filaments, which are hydrophobic. Combined with 40nm wide filaments create a very strong waterproof layer. “The combination of the hydrophobic surface chemistry and the nanostructure of the coating results in the super-hydrophobic effect” says Seeger.
The silicone filaments also create an air layer between them, to create a permanent layer of air. This layer’s function is to make sure that the filaments never “touch” the polyester fabric. That’s why the material can be held in the water for two months and still remain dry.
