Go shower with a mobile phone.

Soon, in fact, will not escape from the mobile phones. They can be used on the world's highest mountains, airplanes, and even underground, but the phone manufacturers now customers want to use their products under water.

Electronics companies are planning to use military technology designed to protect soldiers from chemical attacks to mobile phones and other equipment waterproof.

Phones Treatment coated would be protected from moisture, rain and accidental immersion, in the opinion of experts, for the technology. Tests have shown that treatment phones can be used in wet conditions without damage.

It could, text addicts to use their devices in the shower. But it also means, of course, that you will have no excuse for refusing to accept that an early morning call from your boss.

This technology includes invisible coating, which is chemically bonded to the surface of the instrument reflected water and prevent it from seeping into the device, where it can damage the circuits.

It was developed by the Ministry of Defence scientists at protecting Science and Technology Laboratory at Porton Down, Wilts. A spin-off company, P2i, is in talks with three leading authorities on the phone about the use of coatings, Ion-Mask, for their products.

"Mobile phones and MP3 players, are too small to be fitted with stamps to make them water-resistant, so water could inevitably creep in," explained Ian Robins, development director P2i. "By making the surface reflection, we were able to take advantage of devices that are not normal… dos tests, and make them pass.

"Certainly, as waterproof device depends on the design, but we can ensure that the water does not seep through small gaps or joins. electronics Some companies want individual components to be considered, too, so they have a much higher degree of protection."

Technology works bonding a protective layer to the device using plasma - the gas that was charged with electronically. In the chemical properties of the layer allows it to resist water and oil. It was developed for the treatment of soldiers uniforms, so that they would reflect the toxic vapors and liquids in chemical or biological attacks.

While Ion-mask coating is still used in military gear, it will soon appear in the sports equipment for the first time. In the footwear giant Hi-Tec announced that he was starting a series of shoes that will be dealt with Ion-Mask technology.

Instead of absorbing water and dirt, moisture near the surface of the beads instead of specially designed shoes.

For electronic devices, as well as protection of water is also important. Water damage is one of the leading causes for insurance claims for mobile phones, with over 1.2 million dropped in a toilet, drink or put through the washing machines in the past year.

The representative of Carphone Warehouse, the UK's largest mobile phone retailer, said: "Most owners are looking for fashion and function when they buy phone, but if it was too watertight, it could be a unique selling point."