The University of Zurich has developed a new and improved fabric for waterproofs, stating that their invention has the potential to remain dry even after two months’ submersion in water.

It seems that the use of very small fibres of silicone actively repel water from settling on the fabric, and that this effect is strong enough to cause water to roll off of the fabric more quickly even than it would the back of a duck.

Stefan Seeger explained the means by which this novel fabric acts by comparing it to the mysterious art of the fakir and his bed of nails. The New Scientist has provided a photograph of the effect in action.

Another application of this novel fabric currently being discussed is for reduced-friction bathing costumes; the repelling of the water is hypothesized to be amenable to less friction while submersed, which may lead to faster times for those athletes wearing the costume.

An application more useful to most readers would be a self-cleaning fabric suitable for suits and coats; should a suit be manufactured that shrugged off dust as easily as this fabric shrugs off water, doubtless it would be warmly accepted by many busy business-people.

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