Fabric That Cools in the Sun and Charges from Movements

Engineers at the University of Illinois have developed an innovative fabric that simultaneously cools the body under the sun and generates electricity from human movement.

Features of the New Material

The material is created using 3D printing from a silicone polymer with added zirconium dioxide particles. In terms of flexibility and breathability, it is comparable to traditional cotton.

The operating principle is based on two physical processes:

• the fabric reflects 96% of solar radiation and effectively releases its own heat in the infrared range
• triboelectric charge arises when rubbing against the skin, similar to the effect of a wool sweater

Testing Results

During tests, the material showed a temperature 6–10 °C lower than cotton when exposed to the sun. In the shade, the fabric cooled 3–6 °C below ambient air temperature. The efficiency remains after numerous washes.

The fabric's energy characteristics are modest: peak voltage reaches 140 V, and power is only 47 mW/m². The generated energy is sufficient to power a calculator, a stopwatch, and 26 LEDs.

Scientists also created a clothing prototype with a heating function. The device operates on movement impulses: at rest, the fabric cools, while during activity, it heats up.

More details about the development can be found on the university website here: https://mechse.illinois.edu/news/89170