Mechanically robust and thermally insulated cellulose aerogel for clothing application

气凝胶是一种超轻（密度与空气一样低）的材料，具有极低的导热性，因此在隔热应用中很有前途。目前，大多数气凝胶都是由二氧化硅或合成聚合物制成的，这些聚合物通常很脆，而且不可持续。在这个项目中，英属哥伦比亚大学（可持续功能生物材料实验室）将与露露柠檬合作，开发合成纤维素气凝胶的新技术，用于服装的热管理。该项目的目标包括利用可持续的纤维素材料开发机械坚固的气凝胶，这种气凝胶可以承受机洗和机械磨损；优化纤维素基气凝胶在压缩条件下的保温性能。* * * *

Aerogels are super-lightweight (with density as low as air) materials with extremely low thermal conductivity, and therefore are promising in thermal insulation applications. Currently, most aerogels are derived from silica or synthetic polymers, which are generally brittle and not sustainable. In this project, the University of British Columbia (Sustainable Functional Biomaterials lab) will work with Lululemon to develop new technologies in synthesizing cellulosic aerogel for thermal management in clothing. The objectives of this project include developing mechanically robust aerogel from sustainable cellulosic materials that could sustain machine wash and mechanical abrasion; and optimizing the cellulose-based aerogel for improved thermal insulation properties under compression. ****