Will You Soon Be Able to Wear Air Conditioned Clothing?

It may sound like the stuff out of a science fiction book but according to an article on HNGN, New Technology Promises Built-in Air Conditioning On Human Clothing, it really is going to happen: you could wear air conditioning right in your clothes.

They call it smart fabric, and you can not only adjust the temperature – you can do so via a smartphone app. The company developing the technology is based in Finland and recently demonstrated the way it works. Essentially, a personal air conditioning system is built into clothing via a plastic film. That film includes microchannels, which are then filled with liquids that can be used to both cool and heat the fabric.

The technology has been compared to the cardiovascular system. Essentially, tiny channels pump liquids that heat and cool. The company who created this technology, VTT, is seeking partners. Their focus is on finding sporting goods manufacturers but they believe there are many applications for this technology.

The Finnish company notes that there have been similar technologies introduced on the market, but there is one main difference in theirs: the production cost is low. In fact, it’s not only affordable to produce, but the technology is different enough that it can be manufactured in huge volumes through traditional methods that many companies already have in place.

One interesting thing to consider is that there is a related technology used in shoes called “Warm Series.” This sole thermal system that can either cool or warm the feet of the person wearing them. The heating and / or cooling is controlled by an app the user downloads to their smartphone.

The technology created by VTT is bringing other options to the table, too. For example, they’ve discussed the possibility of a wearable system that can make the wearer smell good. It’s essentially a portable air freshener that releases a controlled amount of perfume or cologne. It’s expected to be controlled either by an app, or by a pre-programmed algorithm.

While these new technologies are interesting and we’re certainly looking forward to seeing how they are developed over the next few years, they won’t replace the need for air conditioning altogether. AC-World stands ready to help you or your company find the right air conditioning system for your needs. Shop our selection online or contact us today for help.