Swimsuits that don’t get wet. Clothing that is self-cleaning. These are just some of the perks of a new waterproof material developed by Swiss Chemist and lead researcher Stefan Seegar at the University of Zurich. The fabric is made from polyester fibres coated with millions of tiny silicone filaments, and is said to be the most water-repellent clothing appropriate material ever created.

So what’s the secret to this fascinating fabric of the future??Protective spikes.

Seems those millions of tiny silicone filaments are highly chemically hydrophobic which in laments terms means they repel water very, very well.  The spiky structure of the 40-nanometre-wide filaments strengthens that effect to create a protective layer that prevents water droplets from soaking through the coating to the polyester fibres underneath. ” The combination of the hydrophobic surface chemistry and the nanostructure of the coating results in the super-hydrophobic effect,” Seeger explained to New Scientist magazine. The silicone nanofilaments also trap a layer of air between them, to create a permanent air layer. This fine layer of air ensures that water never comes into contact with the polyester fabric. It can be submerged in water for two months and still remain dry to the touch. Amazing! 

In addition, the plastron layer can also reduce drag when moving from water by up to 20% according to preliminary experiments conducted by Seeger. “This could be very interesting for athletic swimwear applications,” he suggests, raising the possibility of future swimsuits that never get wet. 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. Experiments also showed that the new coating is durable. Unlike some water-resistant coatings, it remains more-or-less intact when the fabric is rubbed vigorously. It is this durability that represents the really exciting aspect of this work sights Steven Bell, director of the Innovative Molecular Materials Group at Queens University Belfast.  “The era of self-cleaning clothes may be closer than we think.”

Have a thought or comment to share? We welcome it! In the meantime, check out some of our own cool water-repellent prints great for outdoor entertaining from season to season.  Our outdoor fabric fits the bill for water resistant fabric but we are looking for this new line of water proof fabric to hit the market.

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