Scientists discover miracle fabric that keeps your body 11 degrees cooler
A new form of purple fabric could be the key to staying cool during the summer, as researchers have revealed potentially game-changing research into a material that keeps the body up to 11.2ºF cooler than a comparable conventional cotton item of clothing.
White has generally been the go-to clothing color for anyone looking to beat the heat, as it offers greater reflection of sunlight and solar radiation resulting in cooler temperatures for your body.
That looks to be improved upon following the discovery of a new 'smart material', as reported by Interesting Engineering, as a team of international scientists from both Zhengzhou University in China and Adelaide University in Australia have found a major improvement.
It relies specifically on a form of electrospun purple fabric, which refers to the process of using high-voltage electricity to stretch a liquid polymer solution into incredibly fine threads, and it serves as proof that you don't need to compromise on color to achieve the highest level of cooling.
How effective is this new fabric at keeping you cool?
Compared to standard cotton fabrics of a similar colour, this new and innovative textile provides up to 11.2ºF (-11.55ºC) cooling relief, which can make a massive difference in the height of summer when temperatures are frequently getting close to or even exceeding the 40ºC mark.
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On top of this, research has revealed that it's capable of reflecting up to 88% of sunlight meeting its surface, which is how it provides such an impressive cooling effect despite veering from the traditional lighter colors that you'd expect to lean on during the hotter months.
"We have traditionally had to make a choice between cooling performance and appearance," explained Jun Ma, PhD, who works as a materials engineering professor at Adelaide University.
"Our research shows that we can have both," the lead author of the new study added, and this could prove to be a revolution in the clothing world.
It has even shown its potential in relation to white cotton fabrics, remaining 7.6ºF cooler than what's traditionally recommended, and even provides a 14.4ºF decrease when placed on simulated skin compared to going without fabric altogether.
Will this fabric stand the test of time?
One vital question that's often asked of experimental fabrics is the viability of its impressive properties over time, as washing clothes can often break down fibers to the point where they become unusable or unable to retain their benefits.
According to Yangzhe Hou, one of the researchers at Adelaide University who worked on the study, this particular purple fabric can sustain its effectiveness for at least 50 washing cycles, and intensive UV aging tests revealed strong continued performance after around 108 days of outdoor exposure.
"For outdoor workers, athletes, and anyone exposed to hot weather, staying cool is not just about comfort," Hou illustrated. "We are interested in developing fabrics that can help manage body temperature without consuming additional energy."