A Visible-Opaque Infrared-Modulator Fabric for Human Body Thermoregulation at Low Temperatures

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Textile Engineering
• Thermal Engineering

Background:

• Passive radiative thermoregulation in textiles is crucial for thermal comfort.
• Developing advanced fabrics for continuous thermoregulation at low temperatures remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate and characterize a visible-opaque infrared-modulator fabric (VOIMF) for enhanced passive thermoregulation.
• To demonstrate the fabric's ability to provide continuous thermoregulation at low temperatures.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a bilayer emitter comprising a polyethylene (PE) membrane with titanium dioxide (TiO2) microparticles and an ultrathin gold (Au) layer.
• Characterization of the fabric's optical and thermal properties.
• Demonstration of tunable emissivity by flipping the fabric.

Main Results:

• The VOIMF exhibits tunable mid-infrared emissivity, allowing for modulation of heat exchange with the environment.
• The fabric provides a thermal comfort zone over a temperature range of approximately 10 °C (6.7–16.8 °C).
• The VOIMF is opaque in the visible spectrum and appears white due to TiO2 microparticles, mimicking natural fibers.

Conclusions:

• The developed VOIMF offers a promising solution for continuous passive thermoregulation in textiles.
• The fabric's tunable emissivity and aesthetic properties make it suitable for various applications requiring thermal management.
• This innovation represents a significant advancement in smart textiles for personal thermal comfort.