Nanotech polyester fabric never gets wet, brings back the leisure suit in a big way

Researchers at the University of Zurich have combined the stylish, debonair appeal of polyester with the cutting edge science of nanotechnology to create a material that just cannot get wet. When coated with millions of 40nm-wide silicone nanofilaments, the hydrophobic polyester is protected by a layer of air that prevents water from making contact with the fibers beneath. Since water never makes it to the material, it can be submerged for two months and still remain dry to the touch. According to scientists, nano-polyester could be used to make swimwear with low water resistance and self-cleaning clothes. And who knows? It just might herald the return of wide lapels, bell bottoms or even (and we admit, this one's a long shot) Tony Orlando & Dawn. Our fingers are crossed!

[Me @ Nov 24th 2008 4:46PM]

GIMME GIMME GIMME!

[Samboini @ Nov 24th 2008 5:21PM]

I shotgun the nanowear hotpants.

[ED @ Nov 24th 2008 5:29PM]

Why would one call shotgun for a pair of pants?

[Samboini @ Nov 24th 2008 5:47PM]

ED, to impress the easily impressed, amongst other things!

[Lars @ Nov 24th 2008 8:04PM]

Me too! I'll take a pair of swim trunks that can't get wet. That'd be sweet!

[Anku @ Nov 24th 2008 4:47PM]

Hah, look at the controversy over the swimsuits used at Beijing this past year... I shudder to think of the future, if this should come to pass...

[CGreen @ Nov 24th 2008 5:37PM]

Good observation Anku... But this is like selling a car that never breaks down. No one will ever do it! I work for a Competition Swim wear company and something tells me Speedo will accidently overlook this tech! Their current offering last for 11 races and cost $550 what will the "Forever suit" cost?

[Anku @ Nov 24th 2008 9:21PM]

Thanks CGreen, that does make sense. However, remember that the cost for the suit was waived for those swimmers that competed in the Olympics. But yes, you're definitely right, the manufacturing costs for such a product would be astronomical if it was introduced, and the average competition-driven swimmer is going to have a tough time affording such an accessory, and Speedo would have a dramatically decreased revenue flow in that category, because no one would need replacements ever again. Hmmm... so let's wait and see what happens to this tech, shall we?

[AJR @ Nov 24th 2008 4:53PM]

hey cool, i can go swimming in a leisure suit, from a banquet dinner straight into the pool at no change of clothes required.

[poached @ Nov 24th 2008 7:39PM]

you still get wet though...

[Sandlapper @ Nov 24th 2008 4:57PM]

I could see the outdoor clothing companies going crazy over this stuff.

[Marcus @ Nov 24th 2008 5:14PM]

Makes Gore-Tex seem like 21st century technology. Oh....Crap, nevermind.

[architect.zero @ Nov 24th 2008 5:38PM]

The real question isn't whether or not it's 100% hydrophobic, rather it is "does it allows water from the inside to move to the outside, while preventing entry of water from the outside to the inside?"

Otherwise clothing made from this would be like wearing clothing made from rubber. You'd get disgustingly sweaty in mere minutes and that's just as bad as having no water proofing at all.

Gore-Tex not only repels water, it actively absorbs sweat and "wicks" it away from the body to the fabric's surface. This is what really keeps you feeling dry. I'm not reading anything in that article to suggest it behaves in this manner so I won't assume it can be used for clothing.

However, I can see it being used for totally water proof enclosures for electronics (and other sensitive stuff) where you don't want the bulk of a hardsided case. This could be very cool for laptop and camera bags.

[Boarderwoot @ Nov 24th 2008 4:57PM]

While I'm reading this I kept thinking, man I'd hate to be next to this stinky mo fo who can't wash his leisure suit...and then I got the the self cleaning part and was like, damn, that guy'd have it all.

[Mike @ Nov 24th 2008 5:03PM]

Let me see:

Bell Bottoms actually returned about 10 years ago and thankfully beat a hasty retreat.
Wide lapels won't come back until leisure suits come back. Not gonna happen.
70's hairstyles and sideburns seem to be coming back now, though. Now if they can just make the pants such that you don't need to wear a belt...

[SFO Kevin @ Nov 24th 2008 5:17PM]

hydrophobic?...

[Petriedish @ Nov 24th 2008 6:19PM]

Latin translation is water-fearing. Means it repels water.

[David @ Nov 24th 2008 6:01PM]

Hydrophobic, as in having little or no affinity with water. (Also scared of water, but only related in that way by personifying the material)

Contrast with Hydrophilic, as in having strong affinity with water.

Good chemistry stuff. Like the hydrophobic and hydrophilic ends of lipids that allow for structures such as cell membranes to exist.

[Smileypanda @ Nov 24th 2008 6:05PM]

Yes, these clothes are actually self-aware and scared to death of water, therefore, they never get wet.

[Samboini @ Nov 24th 2008 6:17PM]

Phobic = fear

Phile = seeker

Hence peadophile = child seeker.

[MichaelD @ Nov 24th 2008 7:46PM]

Phile--Love, specifically brotherly love (as opposed to agape, sacrificial love, or eros, sexual love). Hence, Philadelphia, City of Brotherly love. Why that word is used for pedophile, I'm not sure...

Anyway, [highschoolgeek] nanotech and its applications to hydophobic clothing is really interesting stuff--especially since it can still be washed (since soap temporarily cancels hydrophobic properties). If you get a chance get a hold of some magic sand--it's sand that doesn't get wet. When you take it out of water it's completely dry.

[/highschoolgeek]

[neodorian @ Nov 24th 2008 5:23PM]

Don't you see what leisure suits like these are capable of?? You get out of the shower and dry yourself off... But then, the leisure suit makes you drier and keeps on making you more dry... Can you imagine it? What it would be like to be way, way too dry? I'll tell you something: you don't want to know

[ShadowMaker @ Nov 24th 2008 5:44PM]

This is great! Finally a new Larry game!

[Lowest Ranked @ Nov 24th 2008 5:44PM]

Ironically, this makes me wet.

[Samboini @ Nov 24th 2008 6:18PM]

Not sure if these garments need ironing sorry.

[Jon Nelson @ Nov 24th 2008 5:52PM]

Your fingers are crossed?

I guess mine are too busy trying to gouge my eyes out at the thought of the return of leisure suits.

[bandigolo @ Nov 24th 2008 5:54PM]

dear engadget,

love the pic of your dad.

xo,
b

[Shunnabunich @ Nov 24th 2008 5:56PM]

This new wave of liquid-proof leisure suits will be the perfect preventative measure for all the drinks that are going to get thrown on them.

[LonnieDvD @ Nov 24th 2008 6:12PM]

Okay, now I have seen it all. I hate to think what a suit of this nanotech polyester fabric will cost.

[Andrew @ Nov 24th 2008 6:28PM]

Does this mean I can walk through the red sea?

[paul-engadget @ Nov 24th 2008 6:33PM]

there was a comedy long ago called "THE MAN IN THE WHITE SUIT", referenced here:

http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/FrontPGArticles/Nanotechnology.htm

[0megapart!cle @ Nov 24th 2008 6:47PM]

Joe is old!!!

[jamax @ Nov 24th 2008 7:20PM]

"to make swimwear with low water resistance that never gets wet and self-cleaning clothes"

..uh, what?

[Joe @ Nov 24th 2008 7:24PM]

That's nice but at what cost?
We don't fully understand this technology and there are unintentional consequences:

http://www.azonano.com/News.asp?NewsID=6351

[Samboini @ Nov 24th 2008 6:20PM]

If it stops me getting covered in snakebite on a night out, I'm in regardless.

[Mindfield @ Nov 24th 2008 9:00PM]

Groovy. It's just a pair of flares and a porn stache away from a night on the town after a visit to Sea World.

[water.and.sand @ Nov 24th 2008 9:17PM]

Sadly, and I admit this is bizarre, but my first thought was:

'If these clothes had been invented 10 years ago, Bill Clinton never would have been caught.'

[thedesolate1 @ Nov 24th 2008 9:55PM]

Does this mean i wont be able to make it rain on them hoes anymore?

[Anonymitee @ Nov 24th 2008 10:27PM]

I still want the bullet proof shirt. Or a ninja suit made out of said material.

[joe blow @ Nov 24th 2008 10:45PM]

Are you gonna have to iron these things? I try not to buy crap you gotta iron.

[1337haxx0r @ Nov 24th 2008 11:06PM]

GORE-TEX Jerry, GORE-TEX!!1

[Jon Nelson @ Nov 25th 2008 2:20AM]

Lmfao. Nicely done

[JOCOMAN @ Nov 25th 2008 3:30AM]

Hay look it John Holmes, with his wet proof suit. 8===0----

[JOCOMAN @ Nov 25th 2008 3:34AM]

I'm sorry I was wrong it's Derk Diggler 8=====0------ ;)

[reubert @ Nov 25th 2008 4:49AM]

So Bond could finally ditch that annoying wet-suit you know he can't fit a tux with tails under...

[wywywywy @ Nov 25th 2008 5:26AM]

So how do you wash it? Just because it can't get wet doesn't mean it can't be stained or dusty or smelly.

[alex @ Nov 25th 2008 8:29PM]

I feel like I've heard of this technology a thousand times over but I have yet to see a product that uses it. Show me the goods!

[trooper3 @ Nov 28th 2008 10:55PM]

I resent your last remark. Tony Orlando is up and performing to sold out houses all over the country. He plays Vegas, Atantic City, New York where he also does the Jerry Lewis Telethon every year. He puts on the greatest show you'll ever see. He gives of his time for the veterans, charitable organizations, and those in need. He does appeox. 200 or more shows per year. You never hear about the nice guys. He puts on a free show in Branson every year honoring the Veterans. He is always busy, so give him some respect. He is the most caring, personable person you will ever meet. Wouldn't it be nice if we all could be so caring about our fellow people?