Nanotechnology That Repels Oils, Dirt & Water

An iPhone sprayed with NeverWet was submerged in water

Scientists have created a silicone-based spray that makes phones waterproof, clothes completely stain-proof and window-cleaning a chore of the past.

New 'Waterproofing' Spray Launched In US: Scientists have created a silicone-based spray that makes phones waterproof, clothes completely stain-proof and window-cleaning a chore of the past. The NeverWet spray repels water and oil so strongly that it keeps materials totally dry when they are immersed in liquid. An iPhone that had been coated with the product still worked while submerged in a bucket of water for 30 minutes, according to the spray's manufacturers Ross Nanotechnology. Fruit juice, sauce and other liquids simply slide off clothes and shoes that have been protected with the spray. "Water and heavy oils will just shoot off of it - chocolate, ketchup, mustard, that sort of thing," researcher Andy Jones told the Pennsylvania newspaper Lancaster Online. And glass that has had the spray applied becomes so slippery to dirt that it washes off in the next rain shower.

The company believes the spray is so versatile that it could protect metal against corrosion, prevent ice-build up on power lines, and produce self-cleaning building materials. It has even tested the spray in hospitals, where it prevented bacteria sticking to bedpans and toilet plungers. Dr Jones added: "It is very novel, and when you start thinking about it, you can think about how transformative the technology can be. You can use it everywhere." The NeverWet spray repels water and oil so strongly that it keeps materials totally dry when they are immersed in liquid. An iPhone that had been coated with the product still worked while submerged in a bucket of water for 30 minutes, according to the spray's manufacturers Ross Nanotechnology. Fruit juice, sauce and other liquids simply slide off clothes and shoes that have been protected with the spray. "Water and heavy oils will just shoot off of it - chocolate, ketchup, mustard, that sort of thing," researcher Andy Jones told the Pennsylvania newspaper Lancaster Online.

And glass that has had the spray applied becomes so slippery to dirt that it washes off in the next rain shower. The company believes the spray is so versatile that it could protect metal against corrosion, prevent ice-build up on power lines, and produce self-cleaning building materials. It has even tested the spray in hospitals, where it prevented bacteria sticking to bedpans and toilet plungers. Dr Jones added: "It is very novel, and when you start thinking about it, you can think about how transformative the technology can be. You can use it everywhere."