Gizmodo: waterproofing

Golden Shellback's Waterproofing Voodoo Magic Now Available For Purchase

John Herrman — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 06:07:46 EST

Golden Shellback started circulating videos of their extraordinary gadget waterproofing treatment in action way back in July, and it took us a while (and a live demo) to really believe that it works. Well, it does, and now you can buy it. That is, if you're willing to send the company your gadget to be treated with their mysterious "vacuum deposited film." All of the coatings come with a warranty, but its modest 30 day duration raises some concerns about the coating's durability. But really, warranties? Longetivity? Whatever, tell me about it on my underwater BlackBerry. Amphibian-able gadget list, with prices, after the jump. [OhGizmo]

Devices:

Blackberry Pearl $120.00 per unit coated

Apple IPod Shuffle $60.00 per unit coated

Apple IPod Touch $120.00 per unit coated

Lansing IPod Speaker Orbit M $60.00 per unit coated

Garmin GPS etrex $75.00 per unit coated

West Marine Vhf 55 Radio $120.00 per unit coated

Speakers (no enclosures) up to 8 inches in diameter $100 each $180 pair

Researchers Invent Nanotech Waterproofing for Planes

Kit Eaton — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 06:37:00 EDT

The Air Force's Office of Scientific Research has funded a study that's found a novel waterproofing technique that could prevent ice formation and corrosion from damaging parts of an aircraft, like optical sensors. The transparent coating has a nanoporous surface that is superhydrophobic, which makes water droplets form and roll or bounce-off the aircraft's skin rather than collecting, which is how ice formations happen. Better still it can becrafted to send the droplets in particular pathways across the coating, meaning it may also work as a cheap and simple water-collection system for desert environments: this was inspired by the way the Namib Desert beetle gathers moisture. We wonder though... is it as good as Golden Shellback? [AirForceLink]

Summer Shooting Tip: Cheap Splashproofing for Your Camera

Charlie White — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 11:23:08 EDT

Here's an old trick, updated with a few helpful and timely tips from our kissing cousins at Lifehacker. They point us to a photo tutorial at Instructables, showing you how to splashproof that camera if you're going to the beach, doing some waterskiing photography or shooting waterfalls this summer. You can easily and cheaply protect that valuable shooter from dust, water, salt spray or grime with a Ziploc bag, completely covering your camera and sealing it in with a lens filter.

Extra suggestions from helpful Lifehacker readers include inserting a silica gel sachet inside the bag to soak up any moisture (you know, those little packets with "do not eat" printed on the outside), and using Ziploc Easy Zipper Storage & Freezer Bags which are easier to keep sealed than those original Ziploc bags. – Charlie White

MacGyver Tip: Ziploc your digicam [Lifehacker]