Smart Fibers and Textiles for Personal Thermal Management in Emerging Wearable Applications

Abstract

AbstractWith the emergence and development of smart wearable electronics and healthcare systems, strong demands for energy saving and effective personal thermoregulation have attracted great attentions. In order to prevent thermal runaway and realize human thermal comfort during the long‐term wear of electronics that closely contact to skin, personal thermal management is emerging as an important strategy to regulate and balance the heat exchange between human body and surrounding environments. Smart fibers and textiles with light weight, mechanical flexibility, multiple responsive, as well as, excellent thermoregulation ability for efficient personal thermal management are eagerly desired in the healthcare applications of wearable electronics. This review summarizes the state‐of‐the‐art advancements on emerging smart fibers and textiles for personal thermal management, including personal cooling, warming, and thermostatic according to the specific healthcare application fields and individual requirements. Advanced fibers and textiles could provide adjustable smart personal thermal regulation ability, in response to various external stimuli and the changes of surrounding environments for efficient personal healthcare are focused on. Finally, the opportunities and challenges of smart fibers/textiles for personal thermal management are also discussed.