‘Cool’ Textile Automatically Regulates Amount of Heat that Passes through it

science news ^ | Feb 11, 2019 | Editorial staff

[vannrox]

Made from specially engineered infrared-sensitive yarn, which responds to changes in the temperature and humidity of a person’s skin by dynamically collapsing or expanding the structure of its fibers, the newly-developed textile shows great potential in the development of clothing systems capable of autonomously adapting to demanding environments.

This is the first textile to automatically change properties to trap or release heat depending on conditions. Image credit: Faye Levine, University of Maryland.

[vannrox]

What is really exciting about this is that spacesuits can be made like "wet suits". They no longer need to be super bulky and difficult.

The second thing to note is that this was developed by a group of Chinese scientists working on the Chinese space program. I am glad that Trump got rid of all that Muslim "outreach" nonsense, and is actively pushing space exploration, but the program languished for 50 years.

Bulky spacesuits will be a thing of the past, now with the new development.

[humblegunner]

The second thing to note is that this was developed by a group of Chinese scientists working on the Chinese space program.

[from occupied ga]

What is really exciting about this is that spacesuits can be made like "wet suits". They no longer need to be super bulky and difficult

How so? Space suits have to provide pressure; thermal insulations is secondary. The other problem with space suits is that there isn't any use for them unless you're in a vacuum environment, and there really isn't much call for that in our day to day lives.

[marktwain]

How does the new fabric reduce space suit bulk?

It is not obvious to me.

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

Make a helluva set of long johns.

[reed13k]

My first thought was this fabric coupled with a computer and the AI “adjusting” the fabric to strangle the person wearing it.

too much sci-fi?

too much sci-fi

[rightwingcrazy]

This material would be useful in places (like Colorado) where the weather is somewhat unpredictable over the course of the day. It beats wearing layers that you have to peel off and put back on.

[ClearCase_guy]

"Yes, Lady, that spacesuit does make you look fat."

[wally_bert]

A Dr. Who plot idea?

[moovova]

So...we’re saved from global warming?

[oldasrocks]

But will it control Hot Flashes?