PolyU researchers invent intelligent soft robotic clothing for automatic thermal adaptation in extreme heat (IMAGE)
Caption
Design concept of thermally adaptive soft robotic textiles. a) Under normal conditions, the SRT's slim profile and reduced thermal resistance facilitate the transfer of heat and moisture away from the skin. b) Upon exposure to a fire environment, the SRT activates to provide enhanced thermal protection maintaining lightness and breathability. Specifically, outside fire events, SRT layers deflate for low thermal resistance; when activated in a fire scenario, the layers separate, creating an insulating air gap that impedes heat transfer. c) Illustration of the SRT featuring a flame-resistant outer layer, a breathable moisture barrier, a knitted thermal liner, and an STA filled with a low boiling point fluid. d) Construction specifics of the knitted thermal liner with embedded STAs. e) Phase transition of a low boiling point fluid within the STA, characterized by significant volume change: in ambient temperatures, the fluid remains in a liquid state; as temperatures rise, the fluid vaporizes, and then reverts into a liquid upon cooling.
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© 2024 Research and Innovation Office, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. All Rights Reserved.
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