Specialty Fabrics Review August 2024 - 75

Improvements in
wearable technology
by Marie O'Mahony, Ph.D.
T
hermal control is one of the basic functions of
textiles for apparel. Because it affords comfort,
it can be tempting not to properly prioritize it, given
textiles' other performance factors. However, it's
useful to take note of the new hybrid fiber and fabric
technologies that are offering improvements in
wearable technology.
Outlast's phase change material (PCM) was
" developed for outer space, tried and tested on
Earth, " the company boasts, and they are correct.
The thermo-technology was originally developed by
NASA for use in spacesuits to help protect astronauts
from extreme temperature fluctuations in space.
It was one of the success stories of NASA's Spinoff
program, offering technologies to subject matter
experts for terrestrial benefits.
The microencapsulation of the PCM offered a
unique approach to thermal regulation, with another
point of difference that the fabric immediately
felt different-actually cool to the touch. This, not
surprisingly, quickly created the expectation of
progress, and Outlast today has more than
100 patents, with applications that go beyond
clothing to include bedding and other products.
Aerogel advancements
Researchers at Institut für Textiltechnik, RWTH
Aachen, are working with aerogel, developing fibers
that are made with 100% aerogel in a way that is
scalable for manufacture and cost-effective. Cellulose
aerogel textiles are offered as sustainable, as well as
more flexible and with better draping qualities than
more conventional aerogel products, which can suffer
from brittleness.
The quality of these new fibers makes it possible
to process them using conventional textile machinery.
The ITA Group International Centre for Sustainable
Textiles is an internationally oriented research and
 AERSULATE®
nonwovens from Outlast are the company's
latest developments in thermoregulating textiles. Created
from aerogel, the textiles are flame-retardant, showing
potential for personal protective equipment applications, such
as uniforms for firefighters. Image: Marie O'Mahony, Ph.D.
training provider with the Institut für Textiltechnik
as its core.
Outlast is also working with aerogel to make its
AERSULATE®
nonwovens, the company's latest
development in thermoregulating textiles. The
aerogel-based nonwovens are flame-retardant and
remain functional under pressure and moisture.
The product shows potential in the field of personal
protective equipment and technical applications.
Unconventional wicking
In support of its belief that " the most sustainable
solution is to use less and reuse more, " Freudenberg
Performance Materials has launched Comfortemp®
HO 80xR as a circular thermal insulation wadding.
The materials are made using 70% recycled
polyamide taken from end-of-life fishing nets, carpet
flooring and industrial plastics that would otherwise
end up in landfill sites. The remaining 30% uses
virgin fibers. As it has a comfortable, soft handle,
the fabric can be used for apparel. Produced as roll
goods, the tendency of wadding to clump is avoided,
giving garments a longer use life before further
recycling is needed.
Marie O'Mahony, Ph.D., is an industry consultant, author
and academic based in London.
SpecialtyFabricsReview.com 75
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Specialty Fabrics Review August 2024

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