Prototyping Waterproof Socks

Keyaan (Grade 5) originally started with an idea to stop his socks from getting wet playing outside in the snow. Through testing and research it turned into a bigger mission to help prevent hypothermia.

After finding The Youth Creativity Fund through the Children's Business Fair, Keyaan was awarded his funding at the event along with another applicant. From there he started prototyping by purchasing batches of socks and testing various products to see which yielded the best results. Some of the waterproofing products designed for protecting leather had some success, but the best results came from a spray that utilizes nanotechnology to bond with the fabric of the socks to make them water repellant.

Keyaan's dad shared this along with a video of Keyaan demonstrating the process; "His Initial idea was to get the stock of socks and vinyl sheet and laminate the socks for waterproofing. After a lot of research and reaching out to various laminating companies, he found out that it was the harder way to achieve his goal. However, during this research process, he was suggested by a fabric specialist that an easier way around to make waterproof socks would be by applying a nano-particle spray and other water-proof fabric spray directly on the socks. By further researching, he narrowed down to three different types of sprays to test on socks. He sprayed the socks with these sprays and let them dry before applying a second coat on each side of the sock. Once the socks were completely dried, he tested them by immersing them in water. His experiments showed best results when he used waterproof nano-particle spray as these socks remained dry from inside even after soaking them in water for 5 minutes. At the end he believes that he has achieved his goal of creating water-proof socks."

Way to go Keyaan! We are so impressed by your creativity and determination to make your idea come to life!