Graphene. From a simple "sheet" of carbon molecules a material stronger than steel and more conductive than copper is born. With its thousand uses in the electronic, biomedical, aerospace (and military) fields, we now also find it in a blanket.
It is called HILU, and is the first blanket in the world made of real graphene fibers intertwined with a proprietary technology. It has the unique ability to thermoregulate you while you sleep, giving you warmth in the winter and keeping you cool in the summer. Hypoallergenic, antibacterial, soft ... more resistant than steel (and scissors). Ideal for escapes from prison! Joke.
How an "adaptive" blanket is born
It all starts with fabric construction: First, manufacturers dissolve graphite into liquid graphene crystals through a patented wet spinning process. The liquid crystals are then dried to create graphene fibers and intertwined to create a blanket that has the ability to react to body temperature and thermoregulate accordingly.
Because that's what it is, in the end. HILU, the subject of this crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter, is in effect an "adaptive" blanket: it adapts to body temperature to create comfort regardless of the season. It can even thermoregulate both sides of a bed independently, keeping one half cool and the other warm based on user preferences.
And then?
The blanket is not the arrival point of graphene, but an interesting crossing point. The technology developed for HILU changes the way to weave graphene fibers.
This technology could produce a future of fabric-thin solar cells, perhaps to be integrated into awnings. Or allow the creation of batteries and other products of a different concept from the current one, lighter and more versatile.
How to say: from a good blanket to a good discovery.
