Nano-textiles, heat, sound, and magnetic fields


 Above: Popular "Futurama suspicious Fry" meme. Creator unknown. Photo courtesy of imgflip.com

Ever lost focus over the slightest chill, or felt instantly uncomfortable because of heat? Your answer will vary greatly depending on region, but overall we as humans struggle with temperature every day. Despite all of our analog and digital technologies that help to regulate the temperature of our bodies, homes, and vehicles, we still find reasons to complain at any given moment when the temperature is even slightly irritable. In the case of more radical conditions, temperatures can threaten lives, severely disrupting the ability to preform basic functions. 

Above: Nano-textile interacting with moisture. photo courtesy of textileinvention.blogspot.com

Luckily, advances in nano-technology could change all this. Nano-textiles—working on an atomic and molecular level—aid in a variety of applications beyond temperature regulation (think medication and moisture distribution, flame retardant, controlling muscle vibrations in athletes, etc.) to help keep our body performing at its best.(1) These nano-technologies will soon become a staple in functional apparel, but with any commercial product, we need to be aware of how these technologies might effect out environment. One frightening indication of nano technologies causing environmental issues comes from the spread of nanosilvers.

"Silver nanoparticles have an antibacterial effect, and are used in a variety of consumer products such as workout clothing to prevent the smell of sweat. When the clothes are washed, nanoparticles are released and enter waste water treatment plants through waste water. The particles release silver ions that cannot be broken down at waste water treatment plants or in nature. The silver ions are toxic to many organisms."(2)


Above: Nanosilver. photo courtesy of nanotechmag.com

Nanosilvers will eventually disrupt the biological treatment process of water as more and more traces flush into our hydrologic cycle, and they're not the only new particle finding it's way into our water. With advancements in nano-textiles leading to an increase in consumer products, we need to consider the the full cycle of these products, the effect of consuming these particles (for all biological organisms), and the overall effect on our environment. 

While it might seem nice to consider a world where out bodies are always comfortable no matter what the temperature, it's more important to consider the bigger picture. To end on a hopeful note, consider a world where we control the conversion of heat based on the inherent magnetic properties of a given substrate. If we can control heat and sound waves magnetically, we can theoretically regulate our global consumption of energy, and possibly dramatically reduce our footprint in the process.(3)


1. Soutter, Will. “Nanotechnology in Clothing.” AZoNano.com, 1 Aug. 2017, www.azonano.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=3129.

2. “Nanosilver from clothing can pose major environmental problems.” Nanosilver from clothing can pose major environmental problems | Chalmers, www.chalmers.se/en/news/Pages/Nanosilver-from-clothing-can-pose-major-environmental-problems.aspx.

3. Joseph Heremans Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Physics, and Materials Science & Engineering, The Ohio State University. “Magnetic fields can control heat and sound.” The Conversation, 17 Jan. 2018, theconversation.com/magnetic-fields-can-control-heat-and-sound-39154.
















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