This High-Tech Textile is Made from Invisible Metallic Wires
Katherine Pendrill — August 15, 2015 — Tech
References: pubs.acs.org & wsj
Scientists at Stanford University are working on a high-tech textile that could help consumers stay warm in some of the coldest environments. While conventional clothing does a decent job of curtailing heat loss, traditional fabrics are not designed to capture radiant body heat. Stanford researchers have found a way to capture wasted body heat through the use of an innovative new fabric.
The scientists produced the high-tech textile by coating fabric in silver nanowires and then placing it in a chemical bath. The network of thin metallic wires boost a garment's thermal properties without impacting functionality. Clothing made from this fabric would be able to trap radiant heat while still providing the same level of breathability as conventional fabrics. The fabric would not only keep an individual warm in cold weather, but it would also help them stay warmer indoors without additional heating. In cold climates, this reduction in heating could help to reduce electricity consumption.
While the fabric is still in the early stages of testing, the new technology demonstrates how smart textiles could revolutionize our daily lives.
The scientists produced the high-tech textile by coating fabric in silver nanowires and then placing it in a chemical bath. The network of thin metallic wires boost a garment's thermal properties without impacting functionality. Clothing made from this fabric would be able to trap radiant heat while still providing the same level of breathability as conventional fabrics. The fabric would not only keep an individual warm in cold weather, but it would also help them stay warmer indoors without additional heating. In cold climates, this reduction in heating could help to reduce electricity consumption.
While the fabric is still in the early stages of testing, the new technology demonstrates how smart textiles could revolutionize our daily lives.
Trend Themes
1. Smart Textiles - The development of high-tech fabrics that can capture wasted body heat opens up opportunities for the creation of smart textiles.
2. Thermal Enhancement - Integrating silver nanowires into fabrics allows for improved thermal properties, paving the way for the advancement of thermal enhancement technologies.
3. Energy Efficiency - The use of heat-capturing clothing can contribute to reducing electricity consumption by minimizing the need for additional heating in cold environments.
Industry Implications
1. Apparel Manufacturing - The apparel manufacturing industry can explore the production of heat-capturing clothing using innovative fabrics like silver nanowire-coated textiles.
2. Home Heating - The home heating industry could benefit from the adoption of heat-capturing clothing, which can potentially reduce electricity consumption by keeping individuals warm indoors.
3. Smart Textile Technology - The advancement of smart textile technology presents opportunities for companies to develop and commercialize fabrics that have enhanced thermal properties.
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