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Breathable and Flexible Dual‐Sided Nonwovens with Adjustable Infrared Optical Performances for Smart Textile
Author(s) -
Gao Qiang,
Lauster Tobias,
Kopera Bernd A. F.,
Retsch Markus,
Agarwal Seema,
Greiner Andreas
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.202108808
Subject(s) - materials science , emissivity , thermal emittance , textile , joule heating , composite material , thermal radiation , infrared , thermal , porosity , infrared heater , joule (programming language) , optoelectronics , optics , efficient energy use , electrical engineering , beam (structure) , physics , meteorology , thermodynamics , engineering
Maintaining constant body temperature is the most basic function of textiles. However, traditional fabrics irradiate a massive amount of thermal energy to the ambient environment due to the high emissivity of the materials used for textiles. This phenomenon weakens the thermal function, causing vast thermal energy loss by dissipation as infrared (IR) irradiation. To improve thermal comfort and reduce extra energy consumption, smart thermal management textiles must maintain constant body temperature by regulating IR irradiation from the human body or by compensating heat losses by joule heating. Here, a smart dual‐sided nonwovens’ preparation procedure and properties for use as a textile with this combination of properties are shown. The nonwoven combines a high porosity with high IR reflectance and low IR emittance. The nonwoven is adjustable from reflective to emissive when turned inside out. It is consequently permeable to air and vapor and simultaneously mitigates thermal heat losses with radiation. In addition, low sheet resistance and superior flexibility make it possible to use them in flexible electronics and wearable devices. It can be further equipped with a porous Joule heating layer adding active control to the personal thermal comfort.