Researchers from The University of Zurich claim to have developed the most water-repellent clothing appropriate material.

The new coating is produced in a single step, in which silicon in a gas form condenses onto fibres to form nanofilaments.

The layer of silicone nanofilaments, which are highly chemically hydrophobic is key to the waterproof ability of the material. The spiky structure of the 40-nanometre-wide filaments strengthens that effect, creating a coating that prevents water droplets from soaking through the coating to the polyester fibres underneath. Drops of water stay as spherical balls on top of the fabric. If the material is tilted by two degrees from the horizontal, the water droplets will roll off like marbles.

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Almost any surface fabric can be made waterproof, but remain breathable using a former military technology that was previously used to ensure soldiers’ clothing remained impermeable to chemical weapons.

The technology, funded by the Ministry of Defence and developed at its Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, works using a chemical based on the element fluorine. In a closed chamber, the chemical is vaporised and attaches, molecule by molecule, to all the fibres in a fabric. The chemical makes the surface ‘hydrophobic’ or water-repelling, so that instead of water spreading out, it forms droplets on the surface.

Unlike the waterproof treatments currently available, the chemical coating covers just the fibres, rather than forming a ‘skin’ across the whole surface, allowing the spaces between fibres to remain open and the fabric to be breathable.

Shoe-maker Hi-Tec has signed a deal with the process developers P2i to use the technology to waterproof a selection of its shoes.

A group of Brisbane biotechnologists have invented a way to utilise the cellulose in unused sugarcane plant material to produce waterproof papers and industrial cardboards.

Principal researcher Dr Les Edye and Dr Bill Doherty made the discovery while working for the Cooperative Research Centre for Sugarcane Innovation through Biotechnology (CRC SIIB), based at the University of Queensland, St Lucia.

The scientists have been working for the CRC SIIB in the area of bio-refining – an offshoot of biotechnology, which helps identify down-stream product opportunities, or new manufacturing potential, base don knowledge available to scientists working on sugarcane.

Dr Doherty explained: “Our work is revealing how we may actually use more of the entire sugarcane plant, millions of tonnes of unused plant matter (or biomass), for future manufacturing and energy production of which waterproof cardboard might provide just one very promising commercial option.

“The CRC process requires the extraction of cellulose (taken from the cane biomass) and then combined with new fermentation technology to make a type of lignin that would form the basis of a waterproof coating for a variety of papers.

“Our process would potentially allow sugarcane growers and mills to team up with paper manufacturers to produce an internationally sought-after waterproof and biodegradable products – waterproof cardboard boxes and containers, waterproof paper billboards, even waterproof tarpaulins for emergency relief – all made from natural materials and all 100 per cent recyclable and environmentally friendly.

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