Fluorine-Free and Water-Resistant Jacket

(ETH Zurich, June 24, 2013)

Much water-resistant but breathable clothing uses textiles that are made with fluorine. When fluorine is bound in the material, it isn't dangerous, but it is highly reactive and dangerous on its own during manufacturing or disposal. Researchers at ETH Zurich test new nanoporous materials made without fluorine for clothing and found the results to be comparable to traditional textiles. The material is as breathable but more water-resistant. The master student working on this project took it one step further and fabricated an entire jacket with this material to test its practical usability.