The coldest days of the year could soon become a lot more bearable: a team of scientists has created a thermal fiber that uses a combination of nanoparticles and smart dyes to convert sunlight into heat, reaching astonishing temperatures in just minutes.
The Thermal Fiber Revolution
The research group led by the chemical engineer Yuning Li ofUniversity of Waterloo in Canada has developed a smart fabric capable of converting light into heat. The research, published in the journal Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials (I link it to you here), presents an innovative solution for maintaining body heat in extremely cold environments.
How heating works
The secret of this thermal fiber lies in the specialized nanoparticles embedded in the material. These particles absorb sunlight and convert it into heat through a process of photothermal conversion. As explained Li:
The embedded nanoparticles are highly efficient in absorbing sunlight across a range of wavelengths
Materials Technology
The researchers used two photothermal polymers: the polyaniline (BREAD) and the polydopamine (PDA). These nanoparticles were integrated into a matrix of fibers thermoplastic polyurethane (PTU), a material widely used in the production of waterproof and sports clothing.
A unique feature of this thermal fiber is the incorporation of thermochromic dyes that change color in response to temperature changes. These dyes change their chemical structure as the temperature increases, providing immediate visual feedback on the level of heat achieved.
Impressive practical tests
To test the properties of the material, the team made a small sweater for a teddy bear. The garment, initially red, It reached a temperature of 53,5°C after just 10 minutes of exposure to the sun, changing color from red to white as the temperature increases.
An innovation that represents a significant step forward compared to existing wearable heating systems, which typically rely on expensive components such as nanomaterials metal or bulky battery-powered heating elements.
Thermal Fiber, Future Applications
The potential applications of this thermal fiber are numerous and promising. The material could be used for mountain rescue equipment and even in pet clothing. Its ability to operate without batteries or electronic components makes it particularly versatile and practical.
A piece of news that, it must be said, warms our hearts.