What if instead of layering up with bulky clothes or relying on battery-powered heated jackets when you step outside in the winter, your clothing could warm itself using nothing but sunlight? Sure, we’ve seen talk about smart fabrics that can turn your clothing in a display, but now scientists have created something new: smart heating fabric that can heat itself using nothing but sunlight.
The secret behind this unique fabric lies in its unique composition. Researchers embedded specialized nanoparticles within fibers made from thermoplastic polyurethane (PTU), which is commonly used in waterproof sportswear. These nanoparticles are made from polyaniline (PANI) and polydopamine (PDA) and can absorb sunlight across a broad range of wavelengths.
