Chinese team creates polar bear fur-like insulating fibre

26 Dec '23

2 min read

Pic: Adobe Stock

Insights

A team of scientists from the Zhejiang University has developed a new fibre inspired by polar bear fur, offering exceptional thermal insulation.
Published in Science, this durable, washable, and stretchable aerogel fibre mimics the bear's fur structure, maintaining heat efficiently.
Tested in a thin sweater, it provides insulation comparable to down jackets.

Chinese researchers have created a groundbreaking knittable fibre, inspired by the unique structure of polar bear fur, offering superior thermal insulation. Published in the Science journal, this development introduces an encapsulated aerogel fibre, notable for its durability, washability, and the ability to be dyed, enhancing its applicability in high-end textiles.

Traditionally, aerogel fibres have been unsuitable for textile production due to their limited strength, stretchability, and reduced insulating efficiency in damp conditions. However, the team from Zhejiang University turned to the distinctive fur of polar bears, renowned for its warmth and water-resistant properties, as a model. Polar bear fur consists of a dense shell surrounding a porous core, a structure the scientists emulated.

Their innovation led to the creation of a robust aerogel fibre, infused with lamellar pores, which captures infrared radiation, thus retaining heat while preserving its mechanical strength, making it ideal for knitting and weaving.

Remarkably resilient, this fibre sustains its insulating qualities even after undergoing 10,000 stretch cycles at 100 per cent strain. The researchers demonstrated its effectiveness by knitting a thin sweater from the fibre. Despite being significantly thinner than a conventional down jacket, this sweater matched the jacket’s thermal insulation capabilities.

This breakthrough points towards exciting future prospects for multifunctional aerogel fibres and textiles, broadening the scope of advanced textile technology.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RKS)

More Textiles News - China...