Phase Change Materials for Cold Weather Clothing

今天的防寒防护服主要由许多薄薄的绝缘材料组成。如果寒冷天气的防护服能够在穿着者的身体无法提供足够的热量来维持体温的时候释放出有用的热量，那将是更可取的。这种方法在概念上类似于使用相变材料来储存太阳能。这项研究探索了通过相变来生产能够储存热能的织物的可行性。如果成功，这项研究将确定一种用于寒冷天气服装的新型面料。这些服装将比传统服装更薄，从而使穿着者能够在寒冷的天气条件下舒适地工作。这种面料的市场包括户外冬季运动服和冬季紧急避难所和毯子。

Cold weather protective clothing of today consists primarily of many thin layers of insulating material. It would be far more desirable if cold weather protective clothing could release useful amounts of heat for periods of time during which the wearer's body was unable to provide sufficient heat to maintain body temperature. This approach is similar in concept to the use of phase change materials to store solar energy. The research explores the feasibility of producing fabrics which can store thermal energy through phase changes. If successful, this research would identify a new type of fabric for cold weather garments. These garments would be thinner than conventional garments, thereby allowing the wearer to work comfortably under cold weather conditions. Markets for this fabric include outdoor winter sportswear and winter emergency shelters and blankets.