Soft robotic textiles
Novel approach to radiative cooling
Personal radiative thermal management
Highly-flexible, breathable photo-thermo-electric membrane
In a remarkable stride towards innovative thermal management, Dr Shou Dahua, Assistant Professor, has successfully published 4 pioneering research papers in four different prestigious journals along with his colleagues in March 2024. His work revolutionises approaches to thermal comfort and energy conservation. The four journals include Advanced Science (impact factor = 15.1), Nano Energy (impact factor = 19.1), Nano-Micro Letters (impact factor = 26.6), and Advanced Energy Materials (impact factor = 27.8).
In Advanced Science, Dr Shou discussed the development of soft robotic textiles that are capable of dynamic thermal adaptation. These textiles offer unmatched protection and wear comfort in extreme temperatures through an innovative actuation system for enhanced insulation and breathability. The proposed soft robotic clothing is meant to protect workers, particularly firefighters and steelworkers, against extreme heat, and prevent burn injuries.
In Nano Energy, Dr Shou unveiled a novel approach to radiative cooling through the development of a durable, breathable, and weather-adaptive coating. This coating, which leverages on porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) nanoparticles, has remarkable solar reflectivity and thermal emissivity, thus offering a sustainable solution to energy conservation challenges while also unlocking the potential of harvesting raindrop energy.
In Nano-Micro Letters, Dr Shou explored the burgeoning field of personal radiative thermal management (PRTM), and emphasised the use of advanced textile materials and technologies. This comprehensive review highlights the potential of PRTM in significantly reducing energy consumption by optimising heat and moisture transfer close to the body, thus promising greater thermal comfort and higher energy efficiency.
Another breakthrough is detailed in Advanced Energy Materials, where Dr Shou introduced a highly-flexible, breathable photo-thermo-electric membrane (FB-PTEM). This innovative membrane efficiently converts solar energy into electricity while offering exceptional breathability and has all-weather suitability. The innovation is a significant leap forward in the realm of sustainable wearable technologies.
Dr Shou’s contributions embody a significant leap towards sustainable wellbeing and occupational safety, and show the profound impact of interdisciplinary research on the future of thermal management and energy conservation technologies.
Full papers can be accessed as follows:
- Soft Robotic Textiles for Adaptive Personal Thermal Management: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.202309605
- A durable, breathable, and weather-adaptive coating driven by particle self-assembly for radiative cooling and energy harvesting https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2211285524002374?dgcid=rss_sd_all
- Personal Thermal Management by Radiative Cooling and Heating https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40820-024-01360-1
- A Highly-Flexible and Breathable Photo-Thermo-Electric Membrane for Energy Harvesting https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/aenm.202304032
