Researchers at Waterloo Engineering used nanotechnology to develop a new smart fabric to help stay warm in winter by heating up when exposed to sunlight.
The cloth incorporates conductive polymer nanoparticles, which are embedded in its fibres and don’t require an external power source to heat up to 30 degrees Celsius. It also changes colour to visually show temperature fluctuations.
“The nanoparticles are activated by sunlight, enabling the fabric to absorb heat and convert it into warmth,” said Dr. Yuning Li, a chemical engineering professor at Waterloo.
Potential applications for the fabric include aiding in cold rescue situations and solar-powered clothing to help keep pets comfortable when outside in winter.
The study team also included researchers rom the College of Textile Science and Engineering at Jiangnan University in China.
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