Nano diamond coated fabric helps the wearer stay cooler

In testing, cotton fabric with a nano-diamond coating from RMIT University Australia reduced the temperature by 2-3 degrees Celsius compared to untreated fabric.

Nano-diamond coated (left) and uncoated (right) sides of cotton fabric. Photo: Cherry Cai/RMIT University — Nano-diamond coated (left) and uncoated (right) sides of cotton fabric. Photo: *Cherry Cai/RMIT University*

The world already has clothing materials that keep the wearer cool by letting heat escape. A team of scientists at RMIT University in Australia, led by Dr. Shadi Houshyar and Aisha Rehman, has developed a new experimental fabric coating with better heat-reducing properties thanks to nanodiamonds, New Atlas reported on February 14. The new research was published in the journal Polymers for Advanced Technologies.

Unlike regular diamonds, nanodiamonds are inexpensive. They are nano-sized diamonds that can be produced easily and cheaply, and they have the same internal “carbon network” structure as regular diamonds. This structure, along with other factors, gives them excellent heat conductivity.

In the new study, the team mixed nanodiamond powder with polyurethane and a solvent. Next, they applied the resulting solution to one side of a regular cotton fabric using an electric field spinning technique.

Once dry, the solution forms a coating of nanofiber networks linked to larger cotton fibers. If the fabric were used as clothing, the nanodiamond-coated side would face the wearer’s skin. The outer surface is left uncoated to help prevent the fabric from absorbing heat from its surroundings.

The team placed the samples with the uncoated side facing a hot plate at nearly 100 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes, then removed them and allowed them to cool for another 10 minutes. They found that, compared to untreated cotton samples, the nanodiamond-coated fabric released 2-3 degrees Celsius more heat through the coated side during the cooling period.

The treated cotton fabric also has better UV protection. The breathability and moisture absorption of the new material are not as good as untreated cotton fabric, but are still within the acceptable range.

“A change of 2-3 degrees Celsius may not sound like much, but it makes a difference in comfort and health impacts over the long term. In fact, it could be the difference between turning the air conditioner on and off. Nanodiamonds also have the potential to be studied to help reduce the heat in buildings, which would benefit the environment,” said Houshyar.

Thu Thao (According to New Atlas )

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