Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

General => Gear Questions, Information, Reviews and Competitions => Topic started by: Matthew on October 18, 2010

Title: Nanotechnology- I am thinking out loud here
Post by: Matthew on October 18, 2010
Evening all, the other week I was talking to my GCSE class about Nanotechnology and we came across a series of informative videos. After watching one particular video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlzztVUMnJo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlzztVUMnJo) it got me thinking. Perhaps this coating can be put to use on our outdoor kit instead of the wash in type equivalent. Years ago I watched the gadget show where a presenter put his I phone in a cupboard, got it coated in this nano stuff and dropped it in a fish tank, needless to say it still worked.

I have a coating on my car windscreen which beads water away reducing or removing the need for wipers and it works dam well.
(http://gtechniq.com/images/shop/101/f53e68d47680b82cdf0898e09181b924_open.jpg)

On their site they have a spray, which works in the same way as the one in the video. In fact the Air coat mentioned in the video is available to buy.

Surely, this can be of use to some of us.
Title: Re: Nanotechnology- I am thinking out loud here
Post by: chunk on October 18, 2010
think its the same gear used on motorbike helmet visors, good gear, but can put a slight blue tint, if used lots
Title: Re: Nanotechnology- I am thinking out loud here
Post by: chris on October 18, 2010
How does it work though? I'm sure the likes of gore have looked into this, perhaps its reacts badly with the membrane, hinders or removes breath ability or maybe it just isn't cost effective. Good shout however, Let me know if you pull anything up
It would be interesting to do a field test on an old piece of kit.
Title: Re: Nanotechnology- I am thinking out loud here
Post by: Matthew on October 18, 2010
I will be ordering some really just to see how it does. I had wondered if it would block the pores of clothing.
Title: Re: Nanotechnology- I am thinking out loud here
Post by: chris on October 18, 2010
It may work best on something that doesn't have a membrane. although on the other hand if it does stop breathability then I guess it doesn't really matter what the garment consists of!
Title: Re: Nanotechnology- I am thinking out loud here
Post by: Matthew on October 18, 2010
thats a fair point you make, it is probably best suites to tents etc.
Title: Re: Nanotechnology- I am thinking out loud here
Post by: twentyclicks on October 22, 2010
Well tent ground sheets - still want the tent to breathe.  What about rucksacks though - they dont need to breathe and we always want them to be more waterproof than they are...