Soft Robotics Integration into Apparel for Thermal Comfort
- 详细技术说明
- Cornell researchers have developed a method to integrate soft robotics into apparel for added comfort to the wearer.
- *Abstract
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Our clothing can be considered as a second skin; the technologies related to the fabric play a substantial role on the wearers thermal comfort. Ideally it would be desirable for the fabric to facilitate thermal management of our skins microclimate, i.e. opening the pores of the fabric when hot or closing the pores when cold and windy, increasing the air gap to improve thermal insulation in cold environment, and transporting sweat liquids directionally from skin side to outside when the wearer is sweating. These features significantly improve both comfort and protection to wearers in a variety of circumstances ranging from normal thermal conditions to extreme environment.
Our researchers have developed a method of integrating soft robotics into textiles and apparel allowing for improved thermal comfort as described in the paragraph above. Actuation of the integrated soft robotic devices allow for a variety of changes to the garment. One application is to increase the airgap within the garment to enhance the thermal insulation provided to the wearer. Similarly, vents or openings in the garment can be controled, thus modulating the flow of heat or liquid into our out of the garment.
In comparison to existing smart fabrics, our soft robotic fabric is green, cost-effective, easy to mass production, actively controllable, and has good mechanical property.
Potential Applications
- Control of the thermal insulation and air-gap within a garment
- Modulation of vents to maintain wearers comfort
Advantages
- Potential for manual or automatic control
- Integration be incorporated into current manufacturing processes
Keywords: Physical Sciences, Engineering, Consumer Products, Heat Engineering & Transfer, Materials, Polymer, Apparel, Fabric, Wearable Technology, Clothing
- *Licensing
- Carolyn A. Theodorecat42@cornell.edu607 254 4514
- 其他
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- 国家/地区
- 美国
