Diamonds protect clothing from overheating

Researchers at RMIT University in Melbourne have developed a new type of fabric that cools the wearer even at high outside temperatures. A special coating on the side of the fabric that touches the skin actively transports body heat away because it conducts heat extremely well. Fortunately, the fabric only seems priceless at first glance: the coating consists of nano-sized diamond powder, which is produced from inexpensive graphite under high pressure and at high temperatures.

Powder forms a flexible network

Shadi Houshyar and Aisha Rehman mixed the diamond nanopowder with polyurethane, as it is known as a permanent impregnation for clothing, and a solvent. They applied this mixture to one side of a cotton fabric. After curing, it forms a flexible network of nanofibers that are firmly bonded to the larger cotton fibers.

The tailor who makes garments from it must ensure that the coated side of the fabric is aligned with the skin of the future wearer in order to absorb heat and release it to the outside world. While there are already garments made from fabrics that keep the wearer cool simply by allowing heat to escape passively, the diamond coating actively transports the heat away.

Wide range of application options

The active dissipation effect enhances the effect. In tests, the skin temperature of garments made of coated fabric was two to three degrees lower than that of conventional material. "That doesn't sound like much of an improvement, but over longer periods of time it makes a difference in terms of comfort and health effects. In practice, it could make the difference between turning the air conditioning off or on," says Houshyar. She can also imagine using nanodiamonds to protect buildings from overheating.

Source: RMIT