Reshaping hydrophobic textiles

A team of scientists led by Professor Kripa Varanasi from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is testing super hydrophobic materials that work by reshaping the surface of textiles so water droplets can bounce faster and are 40 percent less likely to reach the fabric surface. If less water reaches the fabric, the surface dries much faster. Chemical coatings currently being used to waterproof fabrics have raised safety concerns under examination by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Altering the material surface used for protective, outdoor and recreational clothing may be an attractive alternative to chemical treatment. The research is published in the journal Nature.