Heat management technologies have been integrated into fabrics and textiles for decades, dating back at least to NASA's use of reflective aluminum-coated nylon to keep astronauts warm in their spacesuits. This material, however, and the various analogues that have been introduced to date, feature limited optical and aesthetic variability: all have incorporated a telltale shiny metallic surface that reflects not only the infrared wavelengths relevant to heat management, but optical wavelengths as well. This limitation is an unwelcome constraint in the apparal industry, where aesthetic control is paramount, and is even more problematic for applications that include both visual and thermal shielding (e.g., camouflage).
Researchers have developed a visibly transparent, IR-reflective coating suitable for application to textiles. This coating allows for passive heat (IR) management in two modes: (1) cooling, by reflecting heat away from an object/wearer when the coating is oriented toward the environment; and, (2) heat retention, by reflecting heat back toward an object/wearer when the coating is oriented toward the object/wearer. The optical transparency of this metallic, nanostructured layer confers unprecedented flexibility in the aesthetic and useful visual properties (e.g., fluorescent safety colors, camouflage colors/patterns) of materials.
Benefits
- Visibly transparent
- Passive operation (no energy input required)
- Made from low-cost materials
- Durable
- Reversible, allowing for both heating and cooling functions
Applications
- High-performance, reversible clothing
- IR-resistant, camouflaged tarpaulins for military equipment and facilities
- IR-resistant uniforms and tactical gear
Publication