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Plants regulate gas exchange through stoma. These are microscopic holes that open whan water pressure pumps up the 'guard' cells that line the hole and open it. Not enough water inside - holes close; too much water - holes open.
Rather than using cumbersome zips and fasteners, clothes could be
made with fabric that incorporates macroscopic stoma that react to heat and humidity inside and keep the wearer cool in summer and warm in winter.
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Annotation:
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How are you proposing these stoma be controlled? Also, would the control system be autonomous or allow the wearer input of some sort to control the range of conditions that trigger a given stoma behavior? |
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I think I read somewhere that a few companies are developing fabrics with these properties. I'm sure they won't be released for a while, but this (along with lots of other clothing technologies) are being developed right now. Try the January 2003 edition of National Geographic, page 50 for an article about stuff like this. |
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Like guard cells, they self-regulate. As moisture builds up, the 'cells' swell and the pores open. The trigger level is controlled by the membrane properties. I used to research cellular membranes and more recently reverse-osmisis water filters, so I know it's possible ot synthesise such things. |
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A heat sensitive version could use materials with a differential heat-expansion rate on the inside and outside of the pore (like toaster thermostats). |
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The challengs is minaturisation. Nature does that effortlessly. We can't do as well, but microscopic scale isn't necessary for the textiles application. |
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I think the military was looking at a similiar concept some time ago. Not sure where I came across it, but most likely at the Air Force Research Lab, uncertain of the division. Its really cool stuff |
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Yes! We'll call it Goretex! |
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And so the thing known as Gortex spread throughout the land. |
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And God looked upon the Gortex and said, "It is good". |
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No, but the Democrats, in an attempt to win him votes in the south during the last federal election, called him that. |
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No, Al Gore techs are highly-trained specialists who work around the clock to keep the former VP in optimal condition.
Yes, they've been slacking. |
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I propose this be marked-for-deletion. |
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I have just seen a similar idea featured on a biomimetic TV show on NOW! TV. |
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Zips and fasteners aren't there for heat control, it's for taking clothes on and off without needing stretchy clothing / pulling clothes over your head (ie messing up your hair) |
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This could work with something as simple as human hair which expands in humidity. That's how one can make a hygrometer for school projects easily. Or use mini threads of metal in loops. I forsee something that could look like a football jersey in hot weather, goretex is still a bit too warm. |
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