Temperature-controlling textiles
Nina Notman gets a feel for the high-tech fabrics that can help us maintain our preferred temperature
Because astronauts have to work in extreme temperatures, the development of all-weather comfort spacesuits has always been of paramount importance to space agencies. In this pursuit, NASA has explored using phase change materials in their spacesuits, with both warming and cooling applications. But, back here on Earth, there is also a growing market for these materials in a number of areas – ski gear, bedding, workwear, to name a few. And with a range of different technologies being explored, it seems that products like e-textiles could make life a lot cosier in the future – the sky’s the limit!
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