Scientists develop sportswear that “breathes”

Scientists from MIT added live Bacillus natto cells to clothing fabrics. Based on the response of Natto bacteria to moisture and temperature, the clothing can “intelligently” flap the back according to the wearer’s sweat and heat. “On” and “Off”. The research was recently published in Science Advances.

The researchers built a layer of bacterial cells inside the latex by printing. The layer below that contacts the skin is a supportive framework structure that allows the inner cell layer to sense the temperature and humidity of the skin. The biocomposite latex-cell material is made into the flaps of the garment. The flaps are designed according to the sweat and heat distribution of the human body, have different sizes, and are dispersed on the back of the garment.

Inside the garment, living Bacillus natto cells perform the dual functions of sensors and actuators. They sense the surrounding humidity and heat without any external force, thereby affecting the arrangement and contraction of the bacterial layer. When the wearer of the garment sweats, the shrinkage changes of the bacilli can drive the flaps to open so that sweat can be evaporated; when the main body cools, it will drive the flaps to close. After the tester put on the garment and exercised for five minutes, the flaps began to open outward, just like real skin with “intelligent” pore opening and closing.

After the researchers conducted 100 opening/closing tests under artificial conditions, the overall performance of the fabric and bacterial cell layer did not decrease significantly.

The researchers also designed a prototype of a ventilated running shoe based on this. In the sole where the shoe contacts the sole of the foot, the researchers set up multiple flaps that can bend downward.

In fact, these microorganisms are safe, and based on current genetic engineering methods, they can be produced on a large scale.

(Source: Health Frontline)