20-000001045 Bio-based Humidity and Temperature Responsive Materials for Active Garments

Smart garments that adapt to external stimuli by altering their physical properties have the potential to improve utility of garments and the comfort and performance of the wearer. It is difficult to achieve hygro- and thermoregulating wearables by using electrically driven actuators and power sources that can be incorporated into a textile to control its properties due to a lack of such components that are easily integrated into fabrics. An alternative method for producing smart garments is to use self-adaptive fabrics that automatically alter their properties in direct response to environmental stimuli. Smart fabrics used for clothing must meet certain stringent specifications. These fabrics must be flexible and stretchy for comfort and wearability. In addition, frictional characteristics of the smart fabric must be controlled, which means out of plane deformations associated with the response of the fabric must be subtle. Smart fabrics for garments must simultaneously provide ventilation for sweat but also protection from the elements and from external humidity and rain. Finally, smart materials for clothing must be fabricated using methods that are compatible with textile manufacturing. Biological materials often exhibit remarkable characteristics that are difficult to replicate synthetically. Here we propose to develop easy-to-fabricate, flexible, wrinkle-free and stretchy responsive fabrics that alter their moisture and heat transfer characteristics in response to the external stimuli of humidity and temperature. We will harness the hygro- and thermal-mechanical properties of widely-available biomaterials by adhering them to commonly used fabrics. Together with careful geometric design, these fabrics will allow dynamic adjustment of moisture and thermal transport characteristics of the fabrics. APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE.