 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Energy-Storage Clothing For Space
Shanghai, China (SPX) Oct 24, 2005 Researchers at Donghua University have invented new energy-storage clothing to be used in space flights and in daily wear that keep people warm or cool, and always comfortable, regardless of the outdoor temperature. And the phase-change fabric looks and feels just like cotton or wool. Spacemen, spacewomen and ordinary consumers should like it. Donghua University is working with scientists to develop new space suits and other garments for spaceflights, first the space suits for a projected 2007 space walk. The fiber research development is still in an experimental stage. It was announced at the 2005 International Conference on Advanced Fibers and Polymer Materials. The meeting opened yesterday at Donghua's downtown campus. Large quantities of special materials are needed to cope with drastic temperature change in space and also to make space suits remain elastic and comfortable when spacecraft are orbiting Earth. The university's college of materials, garments and textiles will help design the future Shenzhou VII. The energy-saving clothing is made of a phase-change fiber, a compound material capable of absorbing or releasing heat when subjected to heating or cooling during a temperature change. The automatic heat adjustment is especially useful in maintaining the environment temperature between one's body and clothes, researchers said. For instance, the clothes will be able to absorb heat from the environment so that people stay warm even in over-air-conditioned rooms. The energy stored in the clothes will then be automatically released once people step into a hot or chilly environment to keep the body comfortable. Wearers can move comfortably from air-conditioned rooms to outdoor sweltering heat. "That is almost equal to installing a small air-conditioner inside your clothes," said professor Chen Yanmo, with Donghua's college of material sciences and engineering. But the clothing looks and feels just like garments made of common cotton or wool, he said. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Donghua University SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express Space Technology News - Applications and Research
NGC Chosen To Proceed With Developing Solid-State Laser Technology For Military Applications
Redondo Beach CA (SPX) Jan 09, 2006Northrop Grumman Corporation has been selected to develop "military-grade," solid-state laser technology that is expected to pave the way for the U.S. military to incorporate high-energy laser systems across all services, including ships, manned and unmanned aircraft, and ground vehicles. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
