Mexico’s natural rubber production gives the country an advantage in developing new materials, and researchers at the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), an important higher education technology center, are working on developing synthetic materials from rubber for “smart” garments. The current project focuses on rubber synthesis, chemical modification, and characterization of polymer properties to make waterproof cotton fabric with latex. “Natural rubber, when cured, resists acids and bases, is waterproof, and [insulates for both] temperature and electricity,” says Adrian Fuentes, head of research at IPN’s College of Technical Engineering.