Multi‐Bioinspired 3D Leaf Apex‐Like Janus Fabrics with Excellent Gravity‐Induced Sweat Shedding
Yulun Wu, He Wang, Haojun Luo, Yichen Tang, Shuqiang Min, Tonghuan Zhan, Bing Dai, Bing Xu
Abstract
Abstract Janus fabrics with moisture management capabilities have tremendous potential to enhance physiological and psychological comfort for individuals during physical activity. However, the hydrophilic outer layer of traditional Janus fabric is extremely prone to saturation when facing amounts of sweat, slowing down its unidirectional transport property and making the fabric heavier/impermeable. Here, inspired by lotus leaves, desert beetles, and leaf apex structures, a 3D leaf‐apex‐like Janus fabric (3DLAJF) is proposed for effective moisture management, which can quickly remove sweat accumulated on its hydrophilic outer layer. Specifically, the fabric can transport liquid/sweat unidirectionally to the hydrophilic outer zone through the asymmetric wettability. More importantly, under the effect of gravity, the 3D leaf apex‐like hydrophilic pattern in the outer layer can effectively reduce the droplet shedding resistance through decreasing the liquid contact line width. As a result, it can achieve a sweat removal rate of ≈0.063 mL cm −2 min −1 , which is much greater than the maximum perspiration rate of the human body during high‐intensity exercise. This work holds significant theoretical and practical importance in improving the liquid saturation issue of Janus fabrics, and can offer valuable inspiration for ensuring the prolonged unidirectional water transport of Janus fabrics.