Systems and methods for heat conducting and biofluid transporting textile
Inventors
Cui, Yi • Fan, Shanhui • Peng, Yucan • Li, Wei • Liu, Bofei
Assignees
Leland Stanford Junior University
Publication Number
US-12296568-B2
Publication Date
2025-05-13
Expiration Date
2041-06-24
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Abstract
Example implementations include a textile apparatus for transporting perspiration and heat, the textile apparatus including a substantially planar and heat-conducting substrate including at least one recess, and a textile film including one or more fibers disposed in contact with at least one substantially planar surface of the substrate and at least one surface of the recess. Example implementations also include a method of manufacturing a textile apparatus for transporting perspiration and heat, the method including forming a nanofiber solution, extruding one or more nanofibers from the nanofiber solution, forming one or more recesses in a substantially planar surface of a substrate, and integrating one or more of the nanofibers with the substantially planar surface of the substrate and at least one surface of the recesses.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a heat conducting and biofluid transporting textile apparatus designed to efficiently transfer both perspiration and heat from a biological surface. The textile apparatus consists of a substantially planar, heat-conducting substrate that contains at least one recess or plurality of channels, and a textile film made up of fibers—such as nanofibers—disposed in contact with both a planar surface of the substrate and at least one surface of the recess. The textile film is structurally integrated with the substrate in such a way that certain regions (biofluid transportation channels) extend through the substrate, enabling direct contact with the biological surface.
The problem addressed is that conventional textiles cannot achieve rapid or sufficient heat transfer through personal perspiration or evaporation management due to low thermal conductance. In scenarios with intense exercise or hot/humid environments, excess heat cannot be dissipated efficiently, leading to ineffective body cooling, sweat accumulation, potential dehydration, and health risks. Existing textiles fail to adequately wick sweat away from the body for efficient evaporation or to provide concurrent heat transfer from the skin.
This textile apparatus overcomes such limitations by dividing the responsibilities of heat conduction and biofluid transport into two functionally integrated components: a heat-conductive matrix (substrate) and biofluid transport channels (formed by the textile film). The substrate—made of materials like copper or nanoporous polyethylene—efficiently transfers heat from the skin, while the biofluid transport channels wick sweat to the opposite surface for rapid evaporation. This synergistic design both cools the skin and reduces body water loss by maximizing sweat transport, fast evaporation, and efficient evaporative cooling.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim encompasses two main inventive features relating to the structure and integration of a heat-conducting substrate and a textile film for the transportation of perspiration and heat.
Heat-conducting substrate with perpendicular channels
A substantially planar and heat-conducting substrate includes a plurality of channels disposed through the substrate from a first substantially planar surface to a second substantially planar surface opposite to the first. These channels extend perpendicularly between the planar surfaces and define holes through the substrate.
Integrated textile film with fibers disposed in channels
A textile film comprising one or more fibers is disposed on the first substantially planar surface of the substrate, with the textile film fibers at least partially within each of the channels and extending to the second substantially planar surface. This structure enables the textile film to be in contact with both the substrate surface and the channel interiors, facilitating the transport of biofluid and heat.
In summary, the claims focus on a textile apparatus featuring an integrated system where a heat-conducting substrate is configured with perpendicular channels, and a textile film is disposed so as to participate in both heat and perspiration transport via those channels.
Stated Advantages
The textile enables efficient transfer of heat and biofluid from a biological surface, enhancing personal perspiration management.
The apparatus provides rapid evaporation and efficient cooling, reducing body water loss and helping the wearer achieve an improved cooling effect.
Sweat is wicked and evaporated quickly, minimizing sweat accumulation and unpleasant moisture on the skin and textile.
Enhanced heat conduction through the substrate results in lower skin temperature during evaporation as compared to conventional textiles.
The system prevents excessive perspiration and associated risks by achieving greater sweat evaporation efficiency with less biofluid.
The design reduces the thermal resistance of water by keeping the area of wet skin minimized while maximizing evaporation area.
Documented Applications
Article of clothing for personal perspiration management and enhanced cooling, including shirts, shorts, pants, tank tops, sleeves, and headbands.
Wearable and washable textiles for use in scenarios involving intense exercise or hot and humid environments to manage body temperature.
Artificial perspiration system and testing device for evaluating the performance of heat conducting and biofluid transporting textiles.
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