Making a jacket that automatically adjusts its thickness according to hot and cold weather

A research team at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (China) has created a jacket with a padded layer made from bacterial cellulose membrane that can react with human sweat, according to Techxplore on August 14.

This innovative membrane automatically adjusts the thickness of the jacket based on humidity: 13mm in dry, cool conditions and 2mm in high humidity, such as when sweating. This makes the jacket thick when the wearer needs to stay warm and thin when the wearer feels hot.

The team first tested the bacterial cellulose membrane’s ability to regulate temperature in a controlled environment using a human skin-mimicking system. They then tested the membrane in real-world conditions by incorporating it into a commercial life jacket and monitoring its effectiveness on pedestrians or cyclists.

The team found that the “sweat-sensitive” down jackets were better at controlling body temperature than conventional down jackets. “Our sweat-sensitive thermal clothing can increase the temperature regulation by up to 82.8% compared to conventional fabrics,” the team said.

This new technology has many potential applications and benefits. The bacterial cellulose membrane padding can be integrated into a variety of garments, suitable for many different industries and climates.

Wearing clothes made from this technology will help people who work outdoors such as police officers, couriers and sanitation workers feel comfortable for longer periods of time.

This type of clothing also helps reduce temperature-related health risks that can occur when wearing thick, heavy clothing during cold weather, such as dehydration, fatigue, and dizziness.

However, the team needs to further examine the material's performance in extreme weather conditions, durability, and effectiveness for different types of clothing before bringing it to market.

The study was published in the journal Science Advances .