An international team of researchers has developed a natural textile that urban residents could use to combat rising temperatures in cities around the world, caused by buildings, asphalt, and concrete.
In a new article published in Science Bulletin, researchers from the University of South Australia and Zhengzhou University explain the process. As heat waves become more prominent, cooling textiles that can be incorporated into clothing, hats, shoes, and even building surfaces offer a glimpse of a future where air conditioning devices, which emit greenhouse gases, may no longer be necessary in our cities.
Engineers from Zhengzhou University and the University of South Australia say that the wearable fabric is designed to reflect sunlight and allow heat to radiate away, while blocking solar rays and lowering temperature. The textiles were described in the latest edition of Science Bulletin.
The fabric promises to bring relief to millions of city dwellers who are experiencing hotter and more uncomfortable temperatures caused by global climate change and the reduction of green spaces.
Yangzhe Hou, visiting researcher at UniSA, states that the fabric uses the principle of radiative cooling, a natural process in which materials emit heat to the atmosphere and, ultimately, to space.
“Unlike conventional fabrics that trap heat, these textiles are composed of three layers designed to optimize cooling,” says Hou.
The top layer, made of poly(methyl pentene) fibers, allows heat to radiate effectively. The middle layer, composed of silver nanowires, increases the fabric’s reflectivity, preventing additional heat from reaching the body. The bottom layer, made of wool, keeps heat away from the skin, ensuring users stay cool, even in the hottest urban environments.
“In our experience, when placed vertically, the fabric proved to be 2.3°C cooler than traditional textiles and up to 6.2°C cooler than the surrounding environment when used as a horizontal surface coating,” he explains.
“The fabric’s ability to passively reduce temperatures offers a sustainable alternative to conventional air conditioning, delivering energy savings and reducing pressure on electrical grids during heat waves,” they note.
Zhengzhou University researchers Jingna Zhang and Professor Xianhu Liu state that the technology not only addresses the immediate problem of urban heat islands but also contributes to broader climate change mitigation efforts and to a more sustainable urban life.
The technology is expected to be adaptable to even wider applications, including building materials, outdoor furniture, and urban planning.
Although the fabric is highly promising, researchers say that the current production process is costly and that the long-term durability of the textiles requires further investigation and government support before it can be commercialized.
“The fact that consumers are willing to pay more for wearable fabrics depends on the cooling effect, durability, comfort, and their environmental awareness,” the researchers conclude.
