Variloft - Adaptive Thermal Insulation

Overview

A need exists for adaptive thermal insulation that provides protection over a wide range of temperatures with a single, or at most, couple of garments. Traditional systems rely on layering for effectiveness. This results in bulky, complex clothing systems that impede physical performance. An ideal solution is a system with self-regulating or variable loft capabilities to control the insulation characteristics of the garment.

VARILOFT, short for VARIable-LOFT clothing, is a smart thermal protection system based on the development of thermally responsive fibers. Through the utilization of materials systems (such as smart materials in the form of shape memory polymers) a thermally induced strain is created within the fiber as temperature changes. This concept is integrated into the production of co-extruded, bi-component fibers. Fiber layouts are optimized to transition from a flat, two-dimensional configuration to one that is three-dimensional. With the correct design, a network of fibers creates a self-regulating batting that gradually transitions from a flat, low-loft, low-R configuration to a high-loft, high-R configuration, effectively regulating thermal protection in response to environmental and body temperatures.

Benefits

One of the direct benefits of this technology is the reduction of complexity in current layered insulation systems, coupled with a weight reduction. Thermal transfer is regulated not only based on the external environment, but also on the internal environment - effectively regulating temperature by balancing the ratio of body heat generation with heat absorption, and limiting heat loss as well as heat buildup. Furthermore, the tools and processes required for manufacture are the same as those used in commercial non-woven products.

Opportunities

Insulation batting materials are found in consumer products in several areas, including outerwear, sleeping bags, and gloves. While much of the commercial focus of Variloft has been on apparel, there are several other industrial uses where Variloft could be beneficial. These include insulation in building products or in automobile headliners. Headliners are currently one of the larger applications for non-wovens due to their low cost, noise reduction, and ability to be recycled. As temperature drops, the headliner contracts, and thus road noise inside the cabin is increased. Variloft can counteract this by expanding during cold weather, thus maintaining the soundproofing in all temperatures.

For more information:

Please email Veronica Hunt (Products), or call: 781-306-0609 x294