Radiative Cooling Smart Textiles with Integrated Sensing for Adaptive Thermoregulation
Yoon Young Choi, Kai Zhou, Ho Kun Woo, Diya Patel, Md Salauddin, Lili Cai
Abstract
Efficient and adaptive thermoregulation of smart wearable technologies could revolutionize the mitigation of health- and energy-related challenges posed by climate change. We developed a woven, thermally adaptive smart textile (TAST) with high solar reflectance and selective infrared emittance and transmittance using a scalable coaxial extrusion method to continuously manufacture core–sheath fibers. TAST enables passive outdoor radiative cooling by 6–10 °C compared to normal fabrics while preserving good mechanical strength, breathability, and washability. Due to the integration of capacitive sensing, radiative cooling, and Joule heating into the woven fibers, TAST can detect the physiological signals of the human body and adapt its thermoregulation function in response to changes in the ambient temperature and perspiration level. The superior intelligence and multifunctional performance of TAST represent a paradigm shift beyond current personal thermal management technologies for enhancing human health, wellness, and performance.