Nature Briefing, 3 December 2024

Colour-changing textiles adapt to heat

A sprayable coating for textiles and other materials changes colour to help keep things cool in the heat and warm in the cold, without needing any power. The solution contains tiny capsules that change from black to white as they warm up. Researchers tested their invention on a jacket and a tent and found that it kept the temperature inside within a comfortable 19 ℃—26 ℃ range, when it was as cold as 15 ℃ and as hot as 33 ℃ outside.

Chemistry World, 20 November 2024

Colour-changing textiles for temperature regulation

A new colour-changing cloth combines cooling and heating without the need for an external energy supply. This adaptive material has already found different functional formats, such as fabrics for smart-clothing and tents, offering efficient temperature regulations in extreme conditions. Moreover, the manufacturing process seems scalable and, most importantly, adaptable to other materials, such as wood, metals and paper, meaning it could find many uses.