CNTs key to clothing that heat or cool on demand

This is the claim of a team of researchers at North Carolina State University (NC State) who found the CNT film to possess a combination of thermal, electrical and physical properties that make it a viable candidate for next-generation smart fabrics. The team’s findings are detailed in ACS Applied Energy Materials.

Graphene infused garments regulate body temperature

The researchers are also said to have optimised the thermal and electrical properties of the material, allowing it to retain its desirable properties even when exposed to air for many weeks. According to NC State, these properties were achieved using processes that were relatively simple and did not need excessively high temperatures.

In a statement, Tushar Ghosh, co-corresponding author of the study said: “Many researchers are trying to develop a material that is non-toxic and inexpensive, but at the same time is efficient at heating and cooling.

“Carbon nanotubes, if used appropriately, are safe, and we are using a form that happens to be inexpensive, relatively speaking. So it’s potentially a more affordable thermoelectric material that could be used next to the skin.”