Functional Fibers, Composites and Textiles Utilizing Photothermal and Joule Heating

• Published in: Polymers Vol. 12; no. 1; p. 189
• Main Author: Park, Juhyun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 10.01.2020; MDPI
• Subjects: Biomimetics; Circuits; Fibers; Heat; Heat loss; Human body; Incorporation; Light; Light irradiation; Metal oxides; Nanomaterials; Nanoparticles; Ohmic dissipation; Photocatalysis; Photothermal conversion; Resistance heating; Review; Skin; Solar energy; Technological change; Textiles; Thermal environments; Thermal management; Thermal storage; silver nanowires; photothermal conversion; conjugated polymer nanomaterials; reduced tungsten oxide; Joule heating; tungsten bronzes; smart textiles
• ISSN: 2073-4360; 2073-4360
• DOI: 10.3390/polym12010189

This review focuses on the mechanism of adjusting the thermal environment surrounding the human body via textiles. Recently highlighted technologies for thermal management are based on the photothermal conversion principle and Joule heating for wearable electronics. Recent innovations in this technology are described, with a focus on reports in the last three years and are categorized into three subjects: (1) thermal management technologies of a passive type using light irradiation of the outside environment (photothermal heating), (2) those of an active type employing external electrical circuits (Joule heating), and (3) biomimetic structures. Fibers and textiles from the design of fibers and textiles perspective are also discussed with suggestions for future directions to maximize thermal storage and to minimize heat loss.