Researchers at RMIT University are using nanodiamonds to create smart fabrics that can cool people faster.
Studies have shown that fabrics made from cotton coated with nanodiamonds using a method called electrospinning lose about 2 to 3 degrees Celsius during the cooling process compared to untreated cotton.
This is achieved by drawing in body heat and releasing it from the fabric, thanks to the nanodiamonds' incredible thermal conductivity.
Project leader and RMIT senior lecturer Dr Shadi Houshyar said there was a big opportunity to use these insights to create new fabrics for sportswear as well as personal protective clothing such as underwear to keep firefighters cool.
The study also found that nanodiamonds increased cotton's UV protection, making it ideal for outdoor summer clothing.
“Two or three degrees may not seem like a big change, but it makes a difference in how it affects your comfort and health over the long term, and can actually be the difference between turning your air conditioner off or on.said Houshyar.
“There is also the potential to explore how nanodiamonds could be used to protect buildings from overheating, which could bring environmental benefits..”
Using this fabric in clothing is expected to result in energy savings of 20 to 30 percent by reducing air conditioning use.
The research team, based at the Center for Materials Innovation and Future Fashion (CMIFF), is made up of RMIT engineers and textile researchers who have strong expertise in the development of next-generation smart textiles and work with industry to develop realistic solutions.
Contrary to popular belief, nanodiamonds are not the same as the diamonds that adorn jewelry, Houshyar said.
“It's actually cheap to make. It is cheaper than graphene oxide and other types of carbon materials.,” She said.
“It has a carbon lattice structure but is much smaller. They can also be easily created using methods such as explosions or waste materials..”
How it works
The cotton material was first coated with an adhesive and then electrospun with a polymer solution made from nanodiamonds, polyurethane, and a solvent.
This process creates a nanofiber web on cotton fibers and then cures it to bond the two fibers.
Lead researcher and RMIT research assistant Dr Aisha Rehman said the nanodiamond coating was deliberately applied to only one side of the fabric to limit atmospheric heat being transferred back to the body.
“The side of the fabric coated with nanodiamonds is the part that touches the skin. Nanodiamonds transfer body heat into the air.,” said Rehman, who participated in the research as part of his Ph.D.
“Nanodiamonds are excellent heat conductors, transferring heat faster than untreated fabrics.”
Nanodiamonds were chosen for this study because of their strong thermal conductivity properties, Rehman said.
Nanodiamonds, often used in the IT sector, not only help improve the thermal properties of liquids and gels, but also help increase the corrosion resistance of metals.
“Nanodiamonds are also biocompatible and safe for the human body. Therefore, it has great potential not only in textiles but also in the biomedical field.“Rehman said.
Although the research is still preliminary, Houshyar said this method of coating nanofibers onto fabrics has strong commercial potential.
“This electrospinning approach is simple and can significantly reduce the variety of fabrication steps compared to previously tested methods, which are characterized by long process times and nanodiamond waste.said Houshyar.
Source: https://www.rmit.edu.au/