Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have reportedly developed a new fabric that possesses water-repellent and conductive properties while being capable of converting electricity and sunlight into heat. The fabric has been designed with the aim of protecting wearers from extreme cold and mitigating health risks associated with low temperatures, such as arterial blood clotting due to hemoconcentration, weakened immunity, and breathing issues. The findings of this research have been published in the Nano Micro Small journal in a paper co-authored by Uttam Manna from IIT Guwahati’s Department of Chemistry, along with his research team members. The team included Debasmita Sarkar, Haydar Ali, Rajan Singh, Anirban Phukan, Chittaranjan Mishra, and Roy P. Paily from the Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering at IIT Guwahati. It has been observed that extreme cold temperatures can result in several severe health complications, which, in some cases, may even prove fatal. Studies suggest that deaths caused by extreme cold exceed those resulting from extreme heat. While room heaters and layered clothing are commonly used to protect against such temperatures, they either require continuous power or tend to be bulky. In contrast, the newly developed conductive textile has been proposed as a lightweight and flexible alternative. However, the researchers have acknowledged that its current version has certain limitations, including poor durability, high power consumption, and vulnerability to water exposure. In an effort to address these challenges, the research team adopted a strategic approach by applying ultra-thin and clean silver nanowires to cotton fabric, thereby imparting conductivity. It has been noted that these nanowires, which are a thousand times thinner than human hair, facilitate the flow of electricity through the textile while allowing it to generate heat without compromising its softness and flexibility. IIT Guwahati’s statement highlighted that silver nanowires had been chosen for this experiment due to their exceptional electrical conductivity and their ability to convert both electricity and sunlight into heat. Additionally, it was stated that silver’s low electrical resistance enables electrothermal conversion at a low applied voltage, eliminating the risk of electrocution. The researchers further revealed that the textile has the ability to convert electricity from a small rechargeable battery or solar energy into heat, maintaining temperatures between 40°C and 60°C for over ten hours. Commenting on the development, Uttam Manna mentioned that the textile is self-cleanable, breathable, and flexible, with the potential for easy scalability. He further emphasized that its durability and long-lasting performance could make it useful for a range of applications requiring controlled heating.
