Clothing Is Also Smart: Graphene Smart Textiles Make You Cool And Warm.

Graphene thermal smart materials.

The nano Express magazine reported that scientists at the national graphene Institute (NGI@UoM) in University of Manchester, England, made use of the extraordinary thermal properties and flexibility of graphene to create an intelligent adaptive garment and demonstrated the dynamic thermal radiation control effect of clothing. The results also lay a foundation for the new applications of interactive infrared display technology and concealed infrared communication technology.

The radiation energy of human body is expressed in the form of electromagnetic wave, and belongs to infrared spectrum (black body radiation). In hot climates, infrared transparent textiles can be used to reduce body temperature. In the case of thermal insulation, the fabric based on infrared shielding principle can reduce the heat loss of the body.

In 2004, the single atom thickness graphene was first isolated from University of Manchester and its properties were explored. The potential uses of this material are very extensive. With the development of research, atomic grade graphene has been commercially promoted in the fields of batteries, mobile phones and automobiles. In the project of NGI scientists, they used graphene layers to control the thermal radiation on the surface of textiles.

Project leader Coskun Kocabas said: "thermal radiation control is essential for some key applications. For example, cooling under hot weather and heat preservation under low temperature. The potential applications of new technologies include infrared display, infrared communication and adaptive suits.

Previously, the Kocabas team used graphene to create a thermal camouflage that could "deceive" infrared cameras. On this basis, the new technology not only makes the thermal radiation control more intelligent, but also integrates with the existing cotton spinning technology.

To confirm this, the researchers developed a prototype product lined with T-shirts. The product allows the wearer to send invisible information to the naked eye, but the encoded information can be read by the infrared camera.

Professor Kocabas said: "we have demonstrated the possibility of converting graphene's unique optical properties into new technologies. It shows the performance that conventional materials do not possess. In the next stage, we hope that this technology can be used to solve the problem of dynamic thermal management of earth orbiting satellites. Orbiting satellites will withstand extreme heat when facing the sun, and will freeze when they are in the shadow of the earth. Our technology can control satellite temperature by controlling thermal radiation and achieve on-demand dynamic thermal management.

Professor Kostya Novoselov added: "this amazing adaptive effect is essentially due to the unique band structure of graphene. It's very exciting to see it spawning high-tech applications.