ICUST develops "air conditioner" clothes smart fiber adjustable temperature
Tianjin North News: Air conditioning isn’t just for rooms anymore—it can now be worn on your body. This new kind of "air conditioner" is not like traditional cooling systems; it's an intelligent heat-storage temperature-control fiber developed by Zhang Xingxiang and his team at Tianjin University of Technology. The fabric made from this fiber has the same insulation properties as regular textiles, but it can lower or raise internal temperatures by up to 3°C in response to environmental changes, making the wearer feel more comfortable.
These smart garments automatically adjust to maintain a balanced thermal environment. The ideal skin temperature for human comfort is around 33.4°C, and if the temperature difference exceeds ±4.5°C, people tend to feel either too hot or too cold. To stay comfortable, people usually need to add or remove layers based on external conditions like temperature, humidity, wind speed, and sunlight. However, this new textile technology eliminates the need for constant layer adjustments.
Unlike regular fabrics that simply block heat transfer, heat-storage and temperature-control fibers are high-tech materials that sense environmental changes and respond intelligently. They absorb, store, redistribute, and release heat, ensuring a more stable and comfortable microclimate inside the clothing. This technology is considered just as important as waterproof and breathable fabrics in enhancing garment comfort. In fact, it was recognized as one of the “21 Changes in Human Life in the 21st Century.â€
Tianjin University of Technology has been researching heat-storage and temperature-control materials since the 1990s, holding three invention patents. Their research group is among the most advanced in the world, with extensive studies on polypropylene fibers and thermal storage viscose. Various experimental methods have been used to test the thermal regulation performance of these fabrics, which can maintain a 3°C temperature difference for up to 30 minutes during heating and cooling cycles.
Currently, this technology is being applied in the development of new cold-warming clothing by China Aviation Industry First Group’s Hangyu Lifesaving Equipment Co., Ltd. and the Military Equipment Research Institute under the General Logistics Department. Heat-storage fibers can be used in high-end clothing, bedding, interior decoration, professional wear, and even in specialized fields such as flight suits, space suits, firefighting gear, and military uniforms. They also have potential applications in war tents, diving suits, and other extreme environments.
This innovation marks a significant step forward in textile technology, offering both comfort and functionality in a wide range of industries. (Source: City Express)
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