Novel personal cooling textiles revolutionizing human thermal management: principles, designs and applications

Abstract

The adaptability of human body to ambient temperature has always been an important factor in the evolution of human civilization. With climate change and technological advances, the need for smarter and more effective personal thermal management (PTM) has become even more urgent. Early products achieved cooling effects by improving the hygroscopic and breathable properties of fiber materials. With the development of nanotechnology, micro-scale structural design and functional additives, modern cooling textiles have significantly improved in terms of air permeability, moisture absorption, sweat performance, bacteriostasis and wear resistance, and even intelligent temperature regulation. However, there is a lack of comprehensive summary and analysis of personal cooling textiles. This review summarizes the latest progress of advanced textiles in personal refrigeration thermal management. Cooling fabrics enhance comfort by optimizing the body’s thermoregulatory mechanisms such as radiation, convection, evaporation and respiration. The selection of suitable fiber materials, nanomaterials, polymer materials, phase change materials (PCM) and functional coating materials further enhances the cooling effect. The porous structure, fiber spacing and network structure in fabric structure design directly affect the comfort and mechanical properties. This paper also discusses the evaluation methods of the properties of cooling textiles, including heat conduction, moisture permeability and infrared emissivity, etc., to ensure the safety and effectiveness of their applications. Despite the promising prospects of cooling functional fabrics, they still face challenges such as material sustainability and environmental friendliness.