Protecting digital finery from water infiltration is a task many have undertaken, and the latest battalion to join the foray is Daikin Industries, Engadget reports.

The chemical company is developing a water-resistant coating that could save many devices from a watery grave. Daikin's idea promises to have good eco-credentials thanks to its low toxicity. Formed by dissolving a fluoropolymer in fluorinated solvent, the coating takes just a minute to dry and is extremely thin - between 0.1 and 1 microns. The coating isn't designed for full waterproofing, but rather to raise the base level resistance to liquid attacks.

Most interestingly of all, it can also be applied to porous and meshed surfaces, such as mouthpiece grills. It's hoped to be commercially available from December this year, the report says.