Scientists from China and Australia have created a material that heats up 4.2°C less than white cotton under direct sunlight. For people working in hot conditions, such a difference can be especially noticeable.
A metal-organic framework gives the fabric a purple colour and absorbs part of the solar radiation, while zinc oxide nanoparticles reflect it and carry away heat. On average, the material reflects 87.6% of solar energy and emits 96.4% of energy in the infrared range.
Tests showed that the fabric’s properties remain after 50 washes and after the equivalent of 108 days of intense sunlight. The authors propose using it for workwear for builders, farmers and other people who spend a lot of time in the heat.
