Graphene smart textiles developed for heat adaptive clothing

Date:
June 18, 2020
Source:
University of Manchester
Summary:
New research on the two-dimensional (2D) material graphene has
allowed researchers to create smart adaptive clothing which can
lower the body temperature of the wearer in hot climates.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
New research on the two-dimensional (2D) material graphene has allowed researchers to create smart adaptive clothing which can lower the body temperature of the wearer in hot climates.


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A team of scientists from The University of Manchester's National Graphene Institute have created a prototype garment to demonstrate dynamic thermal radiation control within a piece of clothing by utilising the remarkable thermal properties and flexibility of graphene. The development also opens
the door to new applications such as, interactive infrared displays and
covert infrared communication on textile.

The human body radiates energy in the form of electromagnetic waves in the infrared spectrum (known as blackbody radiation). In a hot climate it is desirable to make use the full extent of the infrared radiation to lower
the body temperature that can be achieved by using infrared-transparent textiles.

As for the opposite case, infrared-blocking covers are ideal to minimise
the energy loss from the body. Emergency blankets are a common example
used to deal with treating extreme cases of body temperature fluctuation.

The collaborative team of scientists demonstrated the dynamic transition between two opposite states by electrically tuning the infrared emissivity
(the ability to radiate energy) of the graphene layers integrated onto textiles.

One-atom thick graphene was first isolated and explored in 2004 at The University of Manchester. Its potential uses are vast and research has
already led to leaps forward in commercial products including; batteries, mobile phones, sporting goods and automotive.

The new research published today in journal Nano Letters, demonstrates
that the smart optical textile technology can change its thermal
visibility. The technology uses graphene layers to control of thermal
radiation from textile surfaces.



========================================================================== Professor Coskun Kocabas, who led the research, said: "Ability to
control the thermal radiation is a key necessity for several critical applications such as temperature management of the body in excessive temperature climates. Thermal blankets are a common example used for this purpose. However, maintaining these functionalities as the surroundings
heats up or cools down has been an outstanding challenge." Prof Kocabas
added: "The successful demonstration of the modulation of optical
properties on different forms of textile can leverage the ubiquitous
use of fibrous architectures and enable new technologies operating
in the infrared and other regions of the electromagnetic spectrum for applications including textile displays, communication, adaptive space
suits, and fashion." This study built on the same group's previous
research using graphene to create thermal camouflage which would fool
infrared cameras. The new research can also be integrated into existing mass-manufacture textile materials such as cotton.

To demonstrate, the team developed a prototype product within a t-shirt allowing the wearer to project coded messages invisible to the naked
eye but readable by infrared cameras.

"We believe that our results are timely showing the possibility of
turning the exceptional optical properties of graphene into novel
enabling technologies.

The demonstrated capabilities cannot be achieved with conventional
materials." "The next step for this area of research is to
address the need for dynamic thermal management of earth-orbiting
satellites. Satellites in orbit experience excesses of temperature,
when they face the sun, and they freeze in the earth's shadow. Our
technology could enable dynamic thermal management of satellites by
controlling the thermal radiation and regulate the satellite temperature
on demand." said Kocabas.

Professor Sir Kostya Novoselov was also involved in the research:
"This is a beautiful effect, intrinsically routed in the unique band
structure of graphene. It is really exciting to see that such effects
give rise to the high- tech applications." he said.

Advanced materials is one of The University of Manchester's research
beacons - - examples of pioneering discoveries, interdisciplinary
collaboration and cross-sector partnerships that are tackling some of
the biggest questions facing the planet. #ResearchBeacons

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Manchester. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. M. Said Ergoktas, Gokhan Bakan, Pietro Steiner, Cian Bartlam, Yury
Malevich, Elif Ozden-Yenigun, Guanliang He, Nazmul Karim, Pietro
Cataldi, Mark A. Bissett, Ian A. Kinloch, Kostya S. Novoselov,
Coskun Kocabas.

Graphene-Enabled Adaptive Infrared Textiles. Nano Letters, 2020;
DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.0c01694 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/06/200618120205.htm

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