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Soft robotic clothing, developed by a research team led by Dr Dahua Shou, Limin Endowed Young Scholar in Advanced Textiles Technologies and Associate Professor at the School of Fashion and Textiles, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), is a pioneering innovation addressing the growing concerns of extreme heat. The team’s groundbreaking findings were recently published in the international journal Advanced Science.
As global warming intensifies, extreme heat is becoming a significant health hazard, especially for those working in high-temperature environments. The World Health Organization reports that between 2000 and 2019, approximately 489,000 heat-related deaths occurred annually, with 45% in Asia and 36% in Europe.
Maintaining a stable body temperature is vital for health and well-being, particularly in high-temperature settings. Excessive heat can exacerbate chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental health issues, and asthma, while also increasing the risk of heat stress and infectious disease transmission.
Against this backdrop, Dr Dahua Shou’s intelligent adaptive fabric especially is timely. This first-of-its-kind thermally-insulated and breathable clothing can automatically adapt to changing ambient temperatures, offering enhanced safety and comfort for workers exposed to heat.
Traditional thermal protective clothing, such as that worn by firefighters and construction workers, has limitations. It often features fixed thermal resistance, which can lead to discomfort and overheating in moderate conditions and insufficient protection in extreme heat. Dr Shou’s team sought to overcome these challenges by developing intelligent soft robotic clothing that dynamically adapts to temperature changes, providing superior protection and thermal comfort across various environments.
The inspiration for this innovative clothing came from nature, particularly the adaptive thermal regulation mechanism observed in pigeons. Pigeons adjust their feathers to trap air around their skin, reducing heat loss and maintaining warmth. Similarly, the protective clothing developed by Dr Shou’s team uses soft robotic textiles to achieve dynamic thermal management.
The clothing is equipped with soft actuators that mimic a human network-patterned exoskeleton, filled with a non-toxic, non-flammable fluid. When exposed to rising ambient temperatures, this fluid transitions from liquid to gas, causing the actuators to expand and thicken the textile matrix.
This process enhances the garment’s thermal resistance, doubling it from 0.23 to 0.48 Km²/W. Remarkably, the clothing keeps the inner surface at least 10°C cooler than conventional heat-resistant gear, even when the outer surface reaches temperatures as high as 120°C.
Crafted from thermoplastic polyurethane, the soft robotic textile is both soft and durable, offering better skin-friendliness and conformability than other temperature-responsive materials. The soft actuators have passed rigorous washing tests without leakage, and the material’s porous, spaced knitting structure significantly reduces heat transfer while maintaining high moisture breathability.
Unlike traditional cooling systems that rely on thermoelectric chips or circulatory liquid, this lightweight clothing regulates temperature autonomously without consuming energy.
Dr Shou emphasised the motivation behind this innovation: “Firefighting gear can be extremely stifling, causing firefighters to lose nearly a pound of sweat. This inspired me to develop a suit that adapts to various environmental temperatures while maintaining excellent breathability. Our soft robotic clothing provides constant thermal comfort under intense heat, suitable for different climates and working conditions.”
Looking ahead, Dr Shou envisions a wide range of applications for this technology, from activewear and winter jackets to healthcare apparel and outdoor gear. The team, supported by the Innovation and Technology Commission and the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel, is also exploring the use of this thermo-adaptive concept in inflatable jackets and warm clothing for cold environments. This innovative clothing could contribute significantly to energy-saving efforts and provide essential protection in both extreme heat and cold conditions.
