iFiber garnered Silver Medal at Special Edition 2022 Inventions Geneva Evaluation Days

ITC is delighted to share Dr Dahua Shou, Assistant Professor of ITC has garnered Silver Medal in this year’s online special edition of the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva (Geneva Inventions Expo) - Special Edition 2022 Inventions Geneva Evaluation Days – Virtual Event. The Exhibition is regarded as one of the most important annual global events devoted exclusively to inventions.

The awarded project of Dr Shou is entitled “Omni-Cool-DryTM: a Desert Beetle Inspired Skin-like Fabric for Dynamic Thermal and Moisture Management”. The team members include Prof. Jintu Fan, Head and Chair Professor of ITC, and a research student Mr Yuheng Gu.

Omni-Cool-DryTM is a desert beetle inspired skin-like fabric, which promises all-day cool, dry, breathable, and comfortable feelings under dynamic thermal conditions. This unique fabric quickly dissipates excessive sweat as water droplets to avoid the sensation of wetness and saturation. It also reflects solar radiation and emits body heat to the cold universe for cooling. Compared to conventional fabrics, Omni-Cool-DryTM weighs 75% less, dissipates sweat 3 times faster, and is 50% less clingy during heavy perspiration. The human skin can be cooled by 5°C lower than with a piece of commercial cotton fabric. Omni-Cool-DryTM is treated to be water-repellent and coated with radiation cooling nanoparticles globally, while the local water channels are patterned with wettability gradient as “sweat glands”. The fabrication is scalable and cost-effective, compatible with the production process in the textile industry. This fabric will help outdoor enthusiasts and athletes to perform their best. It will also be desirable to professionals such as medical personnel, construction workers, and firefighters for more endurance.