Want a better way to waterproof a phone? Try nanocoating
BARCELONA, Spain -- A cell phone lies at the bottom of a fishbowl for hours, far longer than the 30 minutes that typical waterproof phones are rated to survive while fully submerged. Nobody looks worried; in fact, they're proud. On the far side of the demo table is a shallow dish full with water that's been dyed blue. In drops a sheet of tissue paper, which immediately crumples as it thirstily soaks up the tinted water. A Samsung Galaxy S4 treated with nanocoating rests at the bottom of a fishbowl for hours. (Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET) This is the work of a company called P2i, which manufactures the nanocoating similar to the stuff that makes raindrops slide off treated clothing.Next to it, another tissue bobs lazily on top. Push it deeper into the water and the liquid just pools, then slides off. Occasionally, some drops will get between the fibers, giving it a wet feel, but the gauzy paper fabric won't soak.