Biodegradable Cooling Fabrics

Biodegradable cooling fabrics have been developed by researchers from the University of South Australia and Zhengzhou University, offering an environmentally responsible approach to personal cooling in high-temperature conditions.

The new material reflects nearly all incoming sunlight and efficiently wicks moisture away from the skin, enabling passive heat dissipation without reliance on fans, batteries, or chemical gels. In outdoor trials, "the fabric reduced skin temperature by approximately 2°C in direct sunlight and 3.8°C at night, demonstrating meaningful benefits for heat-stress mitigation."

The fabric is engineered from "a biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) scaffold embedded with boron nitride nanosheets (BNNS); these nanosheets provide high thermal conductivity and strong mid-infrared emissivity, allowing the wearer’s heat to radiate outward while the white surface reflects 96% of solar energy." Unlike cotton, which absorbs sunlight and retains moisture, the material minimizes heat buildup and promotes comfort. Its biodegradable composition further supports reduced environmental impact across the textile lifecycle.

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