They create a fabric that reduces the temperature by about 10 degrees for heat waves

Chenxi Sui and Ronghui Wu testing knitting in Arizona (USA)Chenxi Needle

Factors such as climate change cause a greater number of heat waves in cities that had not previously reached such temperatures. Last year, heat-related deaths increased by 30%, making it the second hottest year on record.

Now, a study published in the journal ‘Science’ may have a potential solution. A group of researchers from the University of Chicago, specifically from the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME), have developed a Innovative Fabric That could be the solution. It’s remarkably well made More refreshing Compared with traditional materials, even in bright sunlightor town.

The tests were carried out in Arizona, and they were able to see that the fabric stayed 2.3 degrees cooler than the broadband fabric used in endurance sports, and 8.9 degrees cooler than silk commonly used in summer clothing. This thermal difference may be important in reducing and preventing heat-related hospitalisations and deaths.

innovative technology

Cooling fabric, commonly used in outdoor sports such as surfing, works by reflecting sunlight in a diffused pattern. However, in urban environments, thermal radiation emitted from buildings and pavements creates a hot environment from all angles.

“People often focus on the performance or material design of cooling fabrics. To make a fabric that has the potential to be applied in real life, you need to take the environment into account,” said Ronghui Wu, co-lead author and postdoctoral researcher at PME. “The Thermal radiation from the urban environment warms people From all sides. “Our fabric is specifically designed to address this issue, and the results are amazing.”

Uses fabric developed at the University of Chicago innovative technology which allows effective cooling even in conditions of intense thermal radiation. It offers advance Hope for tackling urban heat wavesEspecially in areas like Arizona, Nevada, California, Southeast Asia and China, where extreme temperatures above 50 degrees are likely to occur.

use this new fabric

The application of the fabric is not limited to clothing. A thicker version, protected by an invisible layer of polyethylene, It can be used in the construction of buildings and automobilesReducing indoor temperatures and reducing reliance on air conditioning, with resulting environmental and economic impacts.

“The material can also be used food transportation and storage “For heat-sensitive foods, such as milk,” says Chenxi Sui, co-lead author and PhD candidate in PME, “this could help reduce food waste and the need for refrigeration, thus contributing to sustainability,” they concluded.

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