Purple fabric beats the heat, reflecting 87.6% of sunlight and cooling simulated skin
Researchers from Australia and China have developed a purple fabric that reflects 87.6% of sunlight, allowing it to stay significantly cooler than standard cotton. The material uses metal-organic frameworks and zinc oxide to achieve cooling properties without sacrificing color.
Why it matters
This innovation could reduce energy consumption for cooling and improve comfort in extreme heat, challenging the traditional reliance on white clothing for thermal regulation.
edited by Sadie Harley , reviewed by Robert Egan
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Add as preferred source Credit: University of Adelaide A new purple cooling fabric developed by Chinese and Australian researchers could help people stay cooler during scorching summer days without having to resort to wearing white.
The high-tech fabric has been shown to stay up to 6.2°C cooler than conventional purple cotton when exposed to direct sunlight, potentially opening the door to a new generation of clothing designed to keep people cool during heat waves.
The breakthrough , led by researchers from Zhengzhou University and involving Adelaide University, tackles a difficult problem: making colored clothing that actually cools you down. The research is published in the journal Small .
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