Researchers from the University of Maryland, College Park have invented a new fabric that automatically regulates the amount of heat that passes through or is retained, depending on the ambient environmental conditions. When conditions are warm and moist, the fabric allows the heat pass through infrared radiation. On the other hand, when conditions become cooler and drier, the fabric traps the heat next to the body.

The fabric is created from specially engineered yarn coated with a conductive metal. Since the yarn is mainly made up of two synthetic materials – one that absorbs water and one that resists it – when worn as clothing the yarn can either expand or contract to help regulate the body temperature in response to different conditions. Under hot and humid conditions, the strands of yarn will collapse into a tight bundle, effectively opening gaps in the cloth to facilitate heat emission. Conversely, the yarn will expand and reduce the gaps to block the heat when the textile is cold and dry, keeping us comfortable in response to environmental conditions.

This pioneering work switches both the porosity and infrared transparency of a textile, improving the functionality of clothing in the textile industry. After testing of the new fabric by a clothing company, it could be commercialised in two years.