Hi-Tec goes high tech

WE WERE A LITTLE sceptical when the INQUIRER was invited to the launch of a new range of footwear from Hi-Tec, but we were assured there was a technology angle so we accepted the invite.

We pitched up at the London Aquarium at some ungodly hour this morning, watching the sharks swim by while we waited for the event to kick off.

Turns out the technology bit is something called ion-mask. Basically almost any material treated with the ion-mask process becomes extremely hydrophobic, so it repels water rather than absorbing it.

An introduction was done by Jason Bradbury, the bloke off of the Gadget Show, who proceeded to dunk stuff like a bit of board and some paper towel in a tank of water, showing how the objects that had been treated with the ion-mask stayed completely dry.

"Treating toilet paper with this would make a great college gag," quipped Bradbury.

According to the guy who invented the process, Dr Ian Robins, the surface enhancement nano-technology can treat everyday objects without altering the look, design or feel of the object. The plasma process enables water repellent molecules to chemically bond to the fibres of the footwear on a sub-microscopic scale rendering the product either waterproof or hydrophobic.

It was originally developed for the military to help make soldiers' uniforms more durable and comfortable. The ion-mask can be applied to just about anything but Hi-Tec is the first consumer application of the technology.

Following the explanation we were all given a few scraps of cardboard and cloth, some of which had been treated with ion-mask and some of which were as is, and ushered to the ray pool so we could try it out for ourselves. It certainly is a weird experience sticking a wash cloth into a tank of water and pulling it out dry.

As you can see the water just beads up on the surface of the cloth and the cardboard, looking more like a blob of mercury than good old H20.

According to Hi-Tec, this new process means that its shoes no longer need a waterproof lining which reduces breathability and also won't become increasingly heavy as they don't become sodden while running through puddles.

Hopefully someone will start making ion-masked socks or the fact that the shoes stay dry will only have limited benefit. µ