Researchers on the AGH University of Science and Technology have developed ultra-light insulating materials inspired by the microscopic buildings of polar bear fur and cactus hair, opening potential purposes in building, sensible textiles and army thermal camouflage.
The analysis group, led by Professor Urszula Stachewicz from the college’s Faculty of Metals Engineering and Industrial Computer Science, recreated pure nanostructures in polymer materials utilizing electrospinning know-how.
“We use biomimicry, meaning we +peek+ at solutions developed by animals and plants, and recreate them to solve our challenges,” Stachewicz stated.
The scientists reproduced the construction of polar bear hair, which is hole and traps air to guard in opposition to excessive chilly. Using polystyrene and polyurethane, the group created artificial fibres with a double shell and hole core designed to imitate the thermal properties of the animal’s fur.
“The novelty lies in proprietary manufacturing technology: a needle with two coaxial nozzles allows to create hollow structures from two different polymers simultaneously, through electrospinning,” the researchers stated.
The ensuing fibres are a few thousand instances thinner than human hair. According to Stachewicz, the fabric is light-weight, versatile and extremely porous.
“Our mats are very light and flexible. They can be crumpled like a tissue and moulded to any shape. The material contains as much as 90% air, which, given its high porosity, makes it an excellent insulator,” she stated.
Tests utilizing thermal imaging cameras confirmed that filling empty areas in window frames with the nanofibre mats considerably lowered warmth loss. The materials retained warmth indoors throughout winter and protected in opposition to warmth in summer season. The findings have been revealed within the journal Advanced Science.
Researchers are additionally learning vitality storage mechanisms inspired by polar bears’ black pores and skin and fats layers, which soak up and retain photo voltaic warmth.
“Nature teaches us something else: polar bears have black skin that absorbs solar energy, and a layer of fat acts as a heat reservoir. We want to achieve a similar effect with PCM (phase change materials) with added glycol or layered carbon, which absorb and release energy depending on temperature,” Stachewicz stated.
Another line of analysis drew inspiration from the cactus Cephalocereus senilis, generally often called the Old Man Cactus. Under a microscope, its hair-like buildings comprise grooves that lure air and cut back warmth switch.
The AGH researchers recreated this wrinkled construction in polycarbonate fibres and demonstrated its insulating properties in scorching water pipe insulation. According to the group, the fabric can obtain the identical thermal efficiency as customary rubber insulation whereas being a lot thinner.
Stachewicz stated the know-how could possibly be utilized to electrospun yarns and sensible textiles able to adapting to environmental circumstances.
“This is a step towards smart textiles. Imagine a sweatshirt that adapts to body temperature, monitors blood sugar levels from sweat, and charges a phone using energy from the wearer’s movement. This is no longer pure science fiction,” she stated.
She added that the yarns may be used for thermal camouflage to cut back visibility to drones and thermal imaging programs.
“As scientists, we conduct basic research, but it almost immediately translates into applications. However, we need an industry that will implement these ideas in mass production,” Stachewicz stated.
“I am fascinated by the fact that we do not have to invent new chemical compounds to create new materials. To obtain new properties, it is often enough to +play+ with the geometry and architecture of the material, just like nature does,” she added.
The outcomes have been revealed within the Chemical Engineering Journal.
PAP – Science in Poland, Ludwika Tomala (PAP)
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