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Check out this video on Mytour about waterproofing. Researchers have created a water-resistant coating that can waterproof various materials without altering their appearance or texture.
MITDo you remember waterproof disposable cameras? For just a few dollars, you could purchase a camera encased in plastic, perfect for underwater photography. Whether you were having fun in the pool or snorkeling in Hawaii, those plastic cases kept your camera and film safe from water. Today’s technology approaches waterproofing in a different way. For one thing, it’s invisible.
One of the most talked-about technologies at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show was waterproof nanocoating. Several companies showcased what seemed like magic: They submerged iPhones in water tanks, completely immersing them, then pulled them out unharmed. The phones continued working like nothing had happened!
The secret is a water-repellent material that bonds to solid objects, whether it’s a smartphone or a Kleenex. It’s thin enough to keep complex electronics working while thick enough to protect against harmful liquids. Let’s dive into how nano waterproofing functions—and see if it can truly protect your smartphone during a rainstorm or while snorkeling.
Understanding Waterproof Nanocoating
At Showstoppers during Mobile World Congress 2012 in Barcelona, HZO showcased a submerged iPod Nano. The display, which timed over four hours, showed that the electronics were still functional even after prolonged exposure to water.
© Image courtesy HZOFor just $60, Liquipel offers a service where they place your smartphone in a vacuum chamber and inject a vapor. This vapor deposition process coats the device with a thin film, protecting the sensitive electronics with a water-repelling material—its composition remains a mystery. Another company, P2i, provides a more technical explanation: "P2i's patented technology uses pulsed ionized gas (plasma) in a vacuum chamber to apply a nanometer-thin polymer layer over the entire surface of the device. When liquids contact it, they bead up and roll off" [source: P2i].
Before applying their coating to electronics, P2i used it to waterproof outdoor gear like gloves and boots. HZO also uses nanocoating to safeguard electronics. But are these thin layers truly "waterproof?" The answer is both yes and no. These coatings protect devices from brief water exposure, not long-term submersion.
HZO states that "many devices we have coated have survived continuous hours underwater," but all three companies emphasize that you shouldn't take your phone for a swim [source: HZO]. While they can repel water and prevent damage, it’s still important to power off your phone if it gets wet and allow it to fully dry before using it again.
How to Waterproof Your Phone
You can send your eligible mobile device to Liquipel for a nanocoating service, but soon, this feature may become standard on all mobile devices.
©LiquipelStill think nanocoating technology sounds amazing? Well, it is! While it's not as protective as a bulky plastic case, it’s invisible and could protect your phone from a slip into the sink or a splash in a puddle. Ready to treat your phone? Here's the downside: Only a few select phones can currently be treated with this technology.
Liquipel is currently the only company offering a mail-in service to coat your phone. HZO and P2i are collaborating with electronics manufacturers to incorporate their coatings as a standard feature in new devices. As of mid-2012, Liquipel supports iPhones, iPads, iPhone shuffles, select HTC phones, a few Samsung models, and some Motorola phones. If you don’t have one of these, unfortunately, you can’t use the mail-in service yet.
P2i has partnered with Motorola to add water resistance to their Droid Razr and Xoom 2 tablet. There’s nothing preventing these companies from extending this technology to other devices, except the complicated task of negotiating deals with companies like Samsung and HTC, who produce millions of Android phones annually. 2012 is just the start of something bigger.
