Cooling Fabric Technology with Chalk-Based Coating
In the hot summer weather, people who spend time outdoors, like athletes, landscapers, and beachgoers, can benefit from a cooling fabric. Researchers have developed a chalk-based coating that can cool the air underneath treated fabric by up to 8 degrees Fahrenheit.
The idea behind this cooling fabric is to deflect the sun’s rays and push out natural body heat, a process known as radiative cooling. Traditional cooling fabrics often use synthetic particles or organic polymers that may not be environmentally friendly. The researchers wanted to create a more sustainable solution using natural or environmentally benign materials.
They applied a polymer coating on fabric using a technique called chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and integrated calcium carbonate and barium sulfate particles to reflect UV and near-IR light. By adjusting the size of the particles, they were able to optimize the fabric for cooling purposes.
Testing the cooling abilities of the treated fabric showed that it could reduce air temperatures by up to 8 degrees Fahrenheit compared to untreated fabric. The coating also remained effective after simulated washing machine tests.
The researchers are working on scaling up the production of this cooling fabric for commercial use. Their innovative technique can be applied to various types of fabric to help people stay cool without any power input.
This research was funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation, and one of the researchers is involved in commercializing the polymer coating process.
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Michael Thompson earned his degree in Agricultural Engineering from Purdue University in the USA, specializing in precision agriculture and smart farming technologies. His work revolves around the development of automated systems that increase farm efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Michael is now a senior engineer at a leading agri-tech company, where he designs innovative solutions for modern agriculture.