During the Olympic Games in Brazil, an uninvited guest made headlines. Like malaria, the Zika virus is transmitted through mosquito bites. There is an ongoing war against this kind of disease, technology, as always, offers new tools. In this case, instead of relying on antiviral drugs, a close-to-skin barrier, or clothing, is put in place with the help of nanotechnology. developed. From reflecting solar radiation to removing odor-causing microbes to releasing repellents and insecticides.
The company’s name, Nanox, has created a series of nanoparticles based on inorganic materials. For example, silver, zinc, and copper, which have antibacterial and antibacterial properties, are used to control body odor. As for sun protection, nanoparticles in the form of microspheres of glass coated with zinc oxide, aluminum or titanium are used as small mirrors that reflect the sun’s rays. nanotechnology Tests conducted with them show a 65% reduction in heat transfer to the fabric at wavelengths between 500 and 4,000 nanometers. In the real world, this means up to 6.5 degrees cooler for the wearer. Functional fabrics have so far proven efficient against UV rays, but this new generation of smart materials with nanotechnology can also reduce infrared radiation.
Both fabrics are particularly useful in warmer climates, where sweat and disease-carrying insects are much more common. It can also be applied to Nanotech garments are expected to hit the market in the summer of 2020 and are said to be more resistant and durable, maintaining their properties over more washing cycles.
Smart clothes to cool down (or warm up)
Researchers at the University of Maryland have focused on developing innovative fabrics that dissipate heat not only during the summer months, but also during the winter months. new material It allows our clothes to adapt to environmental conditions. nanotechnologyHowever, it uses bimorph fibers of triacetate and cellulose coated with thin carbon nanotubes (CNT). Both fibers attract or repel water. This means that if placed in a hot and humid environment, they will bunch up and crumble. When this happens, the carbon nanotubes get closer, inducing electromagnetic coupling and increasing their ability to dissipate heat, also known as emissivity. Conversely, when the temperature drops, the fibers expand and impede heat dissipation.
The inventors of this new nanotechnology fabric compare it to “blinds” that let or block infrared light depending on room temperature. They also point out that the effect is almost instant, as the fibers expand or contract even before the wearer notices the change in temperature.
sauce: Amazing world of physics
photograph: Faye Levine, University of Maryland
