Responsive fabrics and methods of making responsive fabrics

Abstract

Fabrics are provided that respond to a variety of environmental conditions simultaneously to improve personal comfort. The fabric includes a fabric layer having first yarns forming primarily an environment-facing fabric front side and second yarns forming primarily a wearer-facing fabric back side. At least two stimuli-responsive materials are applied on the fabric. One of the at least two stimuli-responsive materials is a temperature-responsive material or a humidity-responsive material that dynamically changes its size, configuration, stiffness / elasticity or color in response to changes in ambient temperature or ambient humidity.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 365,341, filed on May 26, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention provides a fabric that responds to environmental conditions, and more particularly, a fabric that can sense and respond to a variety of environmental conditions. Background Art

[0004] Fabrics used in apparel designed for athletic activities are intended to maximize body function by significantly controlling body temperature and keeping moisture away from the individual. The challenge in manufacturing such apparel is that it often exhibits performance-enhancing features without sacrificing personal appearance and / or comfort. Current fabrics are mostly insensitive and unresponsive to environmental conditions and microclimates or ambient temperature and / or humidity changes. Some fabrics have moisture-wicking finishes or moisture-responsive coatings for sweat management, but these moisture finishes and coatings are only responsive to moisture / humidity changes in the microclimate or surrounding environment.

[0005] It would therefore be highly desirable to provide improved fabrics that are simultaneously responsive to multiple environmental conditions to enhance an individual's thermal comfort. Summary of the invention

[0006] In one aspect, a fabric layer is provided, comprising a first yarn forming a front side facing the surrounding environment and a second yarn forming a back side facing the wearer; and at least two stimulus-responsive materials applied to at least a portion of the fabric, the at least two stimulus-responsive materials being different materials that independently respond to environmental stimuli, wherein one of the responsive materials is a temperature-responsive material that dynamically changes its size, configuration, chemical structure, color, or stiffness / elasticity in response to changes in ambient temperature, or a humidity-responsive material that dynamically changes its size, configuration, chemical structure, color, or stiffness / elasticity in response to changes in ambient humidity.

[0007] In an embodiment, the second responsive material of the at least two stimulus responsive materials is a strain / stress responsive material that dynamically changes its size, stiffness / elasticity, chemical structure, or color in response to a force applied to the fabric.

[0008] In another aspect, the strain / stress responsive material is applied to the front side of the fabric and the temperature responsive material or the moisture responsive material is applied to the back side of the fabric.

[0009] In other embodiments, the fabric includes three stimulus responsive materials, the first responsive material is a temperature responsive material, the second responsive material is a humidity responsive material, and the third responsive material is a strain / stress responsive material.

[0010] In other embodiments, the moisture responsive material is applied to the front side of the fabric layer and the temperature responsive material is applied to the back side of the fabric layer. Alternatively, the moisture responsive material is applied to the back side of the fabric layer and the temperature responsive material is applied to the front side of the fabric layer.

[0011] In another aspect, the temperature responsive material is applied to the front side of the fabric layer and the humidity responsive material is applied on the temperature responsive material. Alternatively, the humidity responsive material is applied to the back side of the fabric layer and the temperature responsive material is applied on the humidity responsive material. Additionally, the humidity responsive material is applied to the back side of the fabric layer and the strain / stress responsive material is applied to the front side of the fabric layer.

[0012] In an embodiment, the temperature responsive material is applied to the back side of the fabric layer and the strain / stress responsive material is applied to the front side of the fabric layer. Alternatively, the temperature responsive material is applied to the front side of the fabric layer and the strain / stress responsive material is applied to the back side of the fabric layer.

[0013] In another aspect, the fabric includes a front layer, a back layer, and an intermediate layer located between the front layer and the back layer of the fabric. The intermediate layer includes a third yarn, and the third yarn includes at least two responsive materials that independently respond to environmental stimuli.

[0014] In further embodiments, the humidity responsive material is selected from synthetic polymers, natural materials, or combinations thereof.

[0015] In another embodiment, the humidity responsive material is one of polyurethane and a polyurethane derivative.

[0016] In another embodiment, the humidity responsive material is a liquid crystal.

[0017] In other embodiments, the humidity responsive material is made of cellulose, protein, starch, algae, lignocellulose, chitin, chitosan, or derivatives thereof.

[0018] In other embodiments, the humidity responsive material is a bacterial spore; a plant cell; a microorganism; a natural component produced or isolated from a microorganism, a plant, or an animal; or an artificial component that mimics the structure and function of the humidity responsive material.

[0019] In other embodiments, the humidity responsive material is a composite material made of a humidity responsive material and a base polymer. The base polymer is a polyurethane or polyurethane derivative, or a silicone or a derivative polymer, or a polyamide or a derivative polymer, or a polyester or a derivative polymer, or an acrylic acid or a derivative polymer, or a polyolefin or a derivative polymer, or an ethyl acetate or a derivative polymer, or a protein-based polymer, or a starch-based polymer, or a polysaccharide polymer, or an algae polymer or a rubber.

[0020] In one aspect, the humidity responsive material is a blend of cellulose microfibers / nanofibers and / or graphene.

[0021] In an embodiment, the humidity responsive material includes a photonic crystal, which is embedded in a polymer, an inorganic material, a multilayer structured material made of an inorganic nanomaterial coated with a polymer, a multilayer inorganic nanostructured material, or a liquid crystal, wherein the photonic crystal dynamically changes its color when the moisture in the environment changes.

[0022] In other embodiments, the humidity responsive material comprises a brush polymer.

[0023] In other embodiments, the humidity responsive material comprises a liquid crystal polymer or a liquid crystal dispersed polymer.

[0024] In one aspect, the humidity-responsive material changes its stiffness / elasticity, size, configuration, chemical structure, or color in response to changes in humidity.

[0025] In one embodiment, the humidity responsive material includes a water-soluble lyotropic liquid crystal polymer and a humidity responsive polymer. When exposed to moisture, the humidity responsive polymer swells and exposes the water-soluble lyotropic liquid crystal polymer to moisture, wherein the liquid crystal polymer swells and becomes softer.

[0026] In another embodiment, the humidity responsive material includes a soluble lyotropic liquid crystal polymer and a humidity responsive polymer. When exposed to moisture, the humidity responsive polymer swells and exposes the soluble lyotropic liquid crystal polymer to moisture, wherein the solvent of the liquid crystal polymer is extracted by the moisture, and the liquid crystal polymer solidifies and obtains higher stiffness.

[0027] In another aspect, a temperature responsive material changes its stiffness / elasticity, size, configuration, chemical structure, or color in response to a change in temperature.

[0028] In another aspect, the temperature responsive material changes from being hydrophilic with a high moisture regain to being hydrophobic with a lower moisture regain when the temperature of the adjacent climate increases above a lower critical temperature.

[0029] In other embodiments, the temperature responsive material is poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), a derivative thereof, a copolymer thereof, or a combination thereof.

[0030] In another embodiment, the lower critical temperature is between 34°C and 40°C.

[0031] In other embodiments, the temperature responsive material is polyurethane, polyurethane copolymer, or a combination thereof.

[0032] In other embodiments, the temperature responsive material is a composite material made of a temperature responsive material and a base polymer. The base polymer is polyurethane or polyurethane derivatives, or silicone or its derivative polymers, or polyamide or its derivatives, or polyester or its derivative polymers, or acrylic acid or its derivative polymers, or polyolefin or its derivative polymers, or ethyl acetate or its derivative polymers, or protein-based polymers, or starch-based polymers, or polysaccharide polymers, or algae polymers or rubber.

[0033] In other embodiments, the temperature responsive material comprises a photonic crystal embedded in a temperature responsive polymer or a blend of temperature responsive polymers.

[0034] In other embodiments, the temperature responsive material comprises a brush polymer.

[0035] In other embodiments, the temperature responsive material comprises a liquid crystal polymer or a liquid crystal dispersed polymer.

[0036] In further embodiments, the liquid crystal polymer is a thermotropic liquid crystal polymer.

[0037] In one aspect, the glass transition temperature or melting point of the thermotropic liquid crystal polymer is higher than the ambient temperature. When the ambient temperature rises to or above its glass transition temperature or melting transition point, the molecular structure of the polymer becomes more disordered and the polymer becomes softer.

[0038] In another aspect, the glass transition temperature or melting point of the thermotropic liquid crystal polymer is lower than the ambient temperature. When the ambient temperature drops to or below its glass transition temperature or melting transition point, the polymer molecules become more ordered and exhibit high mechanical properties due to the self-reinforcement properties generated by the macromolecular orientation, thereby obtaining higher hardness / rigidity.

[0039] In another embodiment, the strain / stress responsive material changes its stiffness / elasticity, chemical structure, size, or color in response to a force or stress applied to at least a portion of the fabric.

[0040] In other embodiments, the strain / stress responsive material is a composite material made of a strain / stress responsive material and a base polymer. The base polymer is polyurethane or polyurethane derivatives, or silicone or its derivative polymers, or polyamide or its derivatives, or polyester or its derivative polymers, or acrylic acid or its derivative polymers, or polyolefin or its derivative polymers, or ethyl acetate or its derivative polymers, or protein-based polymers, or starch-based polymers, or polysaccharide polymers, or algae polymers or rubber.

[0041] In other embodiments, the strain / stress responsive material comprises a brush polymer.

[0042] In other embodiments, the strain / stress responsive material comprises a liquid crystal polymer.

[0043] In an embodiment, the strain / stress responsive material comprises a photonic crystal embedded in an elastic polymer or a blend of elastic polymers.

[0044] In another aspect, the strain / stress responsive material stiffens in response to a force, and the strain / strain responsive material is selected from a cross-linked polymer network, any suitable hydrogel, any suitable liquid metal or liquid crystal polymer or liquid crystal dispersed polymer, any suitable elastomer or elastomeric composite, or any suitable nanocomposite.

[0045] In another embodiment, the strain / stress responsive material softens in response to a force, the strain / stress responsive material being selected from the group consisting of carbon fiber and elastomeric composites or nanocomposites.

[0046] In another aspect, the fabrics provided herein further comprise at least one cooling agent, the at least one cooling agent and / or a chemical agent activated to trigger transient receptor potential (TRP) channels of the skin that produce a cooling sensation.

[0047] In embodiments, at least one coolant is a cooling oil, a cooling oil extract, a synthetic chemical having the same chemical structure as a cooling oil extract, or a bioprocessed chemical having the same chemical structure as a cooling oil extract.

[0048] In other embodiments, at least one coolant is encapsulated or wrapped by at least one of the humidity responsive material and the temperature responsive material.

[0049] In further embodiments, the at least one cooling agent is a cooling oil extracted from the peppermint plant, spearmint plant, jojoba oil, tea tree, eucalyptus globulus, eucalyptus radiata, or a combination thereof.

[0050] In another aspect, the fabrics provided herein further comprise at least one warming agent having thermal insulating or reflective properties and / or being a chemical agent capable of activating transient receptor potential (TRP) channels in the skin that trigger the sensation of warmth.

[0051] In embodiments, at least one warming agent is a warming oil, a warming oil extract, a synthetic chemical having the same chemical structure as a warming oil extract, or a bioprocessed chemical having the same chemical structure as a warming oil extract.

[0052] In another embodiment, at least one warming agent is encapsulated or wrapped by at least one of the humidity responsive material and the temperature responsive material.

[0053] In other embodiments, at least one warming agent is a warming oil extracted from black pepper, cardamom, clove buds, ginger, juniper berries, marjoram, rosemary, or a combination thereof.

[0054] In another aspect, the fabrics provided herein further include at least one self-repairing material that reinforces the fabric with additional stiffness, elasticity, or durability, or repairs damage to the fabric by cross-linking, curing, solidification, or material growth.

[0055] In an embodiment, the self-healing material is a healing agent encapsulated in microcapsules or fibers. When the shell of the microcapsules or fibers is damaged by environmental stimuli such as strain, wear, or moisture / heat response, the encapsulated healing material is released and begins to self-heal.

[0056] In the embodiments, the encapsulated self-healing material is self-healing based on microcapsule catalyst, self-healing based on double / multi-capsules, self-healing based on microcapsule latent function system, and self-healing using encapsulated catalyst material treatment method.

[0057] In an embodiment, the self-healing material is an isocyanate prepolymer encapsulated by a commercial polyurethane hardener and a 1,4-butanediol shell.

[0058] In an embodiment, the self-healing material is a self-healing polymer containing specific reversible chemical bonds that can undergo multiple repair steps when activated. The reversible chemical bonds include Diels-Alder reactions, free radical-based systems, supramolecular interactions, ionic interactions, and metal-ligand interactions.

[0059] In an embodiment, the self-healing material is a polyelectrolyte made of a positively charged polymer and a negatively charged polymer.

[0060] In an embodiment, the self-healing material is an encapsulated microorganism or microbial spore that grows and produces a reinforcing material, such as cellulose, protein, mycelium.

[0061] In embodiments, the fabrics described herein further comprise at least one fragrance or anti-odor agent.

[0062] In embodiments, the fabrics described herein further comprise at least one skin absorbable nutrient.

[0063] In embodiments, the fabrics described herein further comprise at least one pigment.

[0064] In another aspect, the moisture responsive material is applied in a pattern along the apertures formed in the fabric layer structure.

[0065] In another aspect, the fabric is a weft knitted fabric, a warp knitted fabric, a woven fabric, a braided fabric, or a 3D printed fabric.

[0066] In another embodiment, the first yarn is a synthetic polymer, a biosynthetic polymer, a fiber based on a natural material, such as cellulose, alginate, protein, chitosan, starch, lignocellulosic fiber, or a combination thereof.

[0067] In another embodiment, the second yarn includes synthetic polymers, biosynthetic polymers, fibers based on natural materials, such as cellulose, alginate, protein, chitosan, starch, lignocellulosic fibers, or combinations thereof.

[0068] There is also provided an article of clothing comprising a fabric as described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0069] The following description will be given with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0070] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a responsive fabric according to one embodiment is shown.

[0071] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a responsive fabric according to another embodiment is shown.

[0072] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a responsive fabric according to yet another embodiment is shown.

[0073] Figure 4 Examples of moisture responsive material and / or temperature responsive material patterns in responsive fabrics are shown.

[0074] Figure 5 Examples of articles of apparel having patterns of moisture responsive material and / or temperature responsive material in at least one responsive fabric area are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0075] According to the present disclosure, a fabric with a tangled or interwoven fiber structure is provided, which is made by weaving, knitting, plaiting, braiding or other advanced manufacturing methods (such as 3D printing or biomanufacturing). In some embodiments, the fabric can be a nonwoven fabric made using any known nonwoven manufacturing technology. The nonwoven fabric is a mesh structure combined together by mechanically winding fibers, hot-melt fibers or chemically bonding fibers. In some embodiments, the fabric can be a laminated fabric made with at least one of the above-mentioned fiber structures.

[0076] For the purposes of this application, environment and environmental conditions as defined herein refer to the surrounding environment or microclimate (the environment between the wearer's body and the fabric) or external stimuli applied to the fabric.

[0077] like Figure 1 As shown, a fabric 10 is provided, which includes a fabric layer F, which has a front side facing the surrounding environment and a back side facing the wearer. The front side may include a first yarn that mainly forms the front side, and the back side may include a second yarn that mainly forms the back side. In some embodiments, the fabric F may be a fabric with at least two layers, wherein the front layer has a front side and includes a first yarn, and the back layer has a back side facing the wearer and includes a second yarn. In one embodiment, the first yarn and the second yarn may be the same yarn. In one embodiment, the fabric F may have at least one intermediate layer located between the front layer and the back layer. At least one intermediate layer has a first surface facing the inner surface of the front layer and a second surface facing the inner surface of the back layer. In one embodiment, the fabric 10 may be a spacer fabric or may include a spacer fabric layer. The spacer fabric is a three-dimensional woven fabric that includes two separate woven bases / layers that are connected together and kept separated by spacer yarns.

[0078] At least two responsive materials are applied to the front, back or both surfaces of the fabric F. In the case of a multi-layer fabric F, at least two responsive materials may be applied to any of the following: the front or inner surface or both of the front layer, the back or inner surface or both of the back layer, or the first surface or second surface or both of at least one intermediate layer, or any other suitable combination. For example, one responsive material may be a temperature responsive material, and the other responsive material may be a humidity responsive material. Humidity as defined herein refers to any liquid, such as sweat, water or any other liquid. One of the responsive materials may be a temperature responsive material T, which, in one embodiment, may be applied to the back of the fabric layer. The temperature responsive material may dynamically change its size, configuration, chemical structure, color or its stiffness / elasticity in response to temperature changes in the environment. Another responsive material may be a humidity responsive material M. In one embodiment, the humidity responsive material may be applied to the front of the fabric layer. The humidity responsive material dynamically changes its size, configuration, chemical structure, color or its stiffness / elasticity in response to changes in ambient humidity. In some embodiments, the temperature responsive material is closer to the wearer than the humidity responsive material. In the configuration of the fabric layer 10 provided, as Figure 1As shown, the humidity responsive material M is applied to the front side of the fabric layer F facing the surrounding environment, and the temperature responsive material T is applied to the back side of the fabric layer F facing the wearer. For example, the humidity responsive material M can be applied to the front side of the fabric F, such as along the pores in the fabric structure, which can dynamically change its size and configuration in response to humidity changes, such as swelling and causing distortion of the fabric structure, which can expand the size of the fabric pores, thereby improving heat convection and achieving direct moisture evaporation. The temperature responsive material T applied to the back side of the fabric layer F can undergo drastic molecular configuration changes when the temperature changes, such as swelling and closing the pores in the fabric structure, thereby changing from hydrophilic to hydrophobic. In this way, the back side of the fabric F is hydrophilic when the wearer is at rest, which helps with moisture management, and becomes hydrophobic during activity to create a dry feeling and push sweat through the fabric to the front side for evaporative cooling.

[0079] Fabric layer F can comprise first yarn, and this first yarn can be synthetic polymer or biopolymer, biosynthetic polymer, fiber based on natural material, for example cellulose, regenerated cellulose, alginate, protein, chitosan, starch, lignocellulosic fiber or any mixed combination thereof.In addition, fabric layer F as described herein can comprise second yarn, and this second yarn comprises synthetic polymer or biopolymer, biosynthetic polymer, fiber based on natural material, for example cellulose, regenerated cellulose, alginate, protein, chitosan, starch, lignocellulosic fiber or any mixed combination thereof.

[0080] In an alternative embodiment, if Figure 2 The responsive fabric 20 shown may include a temperature responsive material T applied to the front side of the fabric layer F and a moisture responsive material M applied on top of the temperature responsive material T. Alternatively, a responsive fabric 30 is included in which the moisture responsive material M is applied to the back side of the fabric layer F and then the temperature responsive material T is applied on top of the responsive material M so as to be positioned at the interface between the responsive material M and the wearer (see Figure 3 ).

[0081] In some embodiments, the moisture responsive material can be closer to the wearer's skin, while the temperature responsive material can be farther away from the wearer's skin. In still other embodiments, the moisture responsive material and the temperature responsive material can form patterns, some of which are in Figure 4 and 5In some embodiments, the pattern is designed to form a first area on the fabric where the temperature responsive material is closer to the wearer's body and the humidity responsive material is away from the wearer's body, and a second area where the humidity responsive material is closer to the wearer's body and the temperature responsive material is away from the wearer. In some embodiments, the first area may include only humidity responsive material and the second area may include only temperature responsive material (or conversely, the first area includes temperature responsive material and the second area includes humidity responsive material) to form a design pattern. The humidity responsive material area and the temperature responsive material area may be adjacent to each other or may be spaced apart.

[0082] Stimuli-responsive materials, such as humidity-responsive materials, temperature-responsive materials, or stress / strain-responsive materials, can be applied to one or more surfaces of a fabric in a desired predetermined pattern. In some embodiments, one or more stimuli-responsive materials can be embedded in a responsive supporting polymer or polymer composite to produce responsive regions. In some embodiments, one or more stimuli-responsive materials can be embedded in a non-responsive supporting polymer layer to produce a patterned array of responsive and non-responsive regions.

[0083] For example, a moisture responsive material (e.g., polyurethane and its derivatives, cellulose microfibers / nanofibers and graphene blends, bacterial spores, liquid crystals) can be coated on one side of a fabric (with or without a polymer matrix / binder), such as the front side of the fabric, along with the pores in the fabric structure, which will expand and cause distortion of the fabric structure, thereby expanding the size of the pores to improve thermal convection and enable direct evaporative cooling of the skin. In some embodiments, the moisture responsive material can undergo a drastic configuration change when the humidity exceeds its lower critical value for non-stickiness and slipperiness, thereby changing from hydrophilic to hydrophobic. In some embodiments, the moisture responsive material can be hydrochromic, changing color when the material is wet (humidity changes in the surrounding microclimate). For example, the moisture responsive material can include photonic crystals or liquid crystals embedded in an elastic polymer, where the elastic polymer is moisture responsive, such as cellulose, polyurethane, protein, algae, or blends of these moisture responsive materials. In one embodiment, the photonic crystals can be embedded in a polymer, such as polystyrene, poly(styrene-methyl methacrylate-acrylic acid), poly(styrene-b-isoprene), polystyrene-poly(2-vinylpyridine), or poly(methyl methacrylate). In one embodiment, the photonic crystals can be embedded in an inorganic material, such as iron oxide, silicon dioxide, or a multilayer structured material made of an inorganic nanomaterial or multilayer inorganic nanostructured material coated with a polymer. In one embodiment, the photonic crystals can be embedded in a liquid crystal, such as a cellulose nanocrystal. The photonic crystals can be embedded in a hydrogel or a flexible polymer, such that when the hydrogel expands or contracts, the spacing between particles embedded in the photonic crystal changes, resulting in a color change.

[0084] In an example, the humidity responsive material includes a water-soluble lyotropic liquid crystal polymer and a humidity responsive polymer. When exposed to moisture, the humidity responsive polymer swells and exposes the water-soluble lyotropic liquid crystal polymer to moisture, wherein the liquid crystal polymer swells and becomes softer. The humidity responsive material may also include a water-soluble lyotropic liquid crystal polymer and a humidity responsive polymer. When exposed to moisture, the humidity responsive polymer swells and exposes the soluble lyotropic liquid crystal polymer to moisture, wherein the solvent of the liquid crystal polymer is extracted by the moisture, and the liquid crystal polymer solidifies and obtains higher stiffness.

[0085] In another example, the thermally responsive material may be a thermotropic liquid crystal polymer having a specific glass transition temperature or melting point. The ambient temperature may be higher or lower than the glass transition temperature or melting point of the thermotropic liquid crystal polymer. When the ambient temperature is lower than the glass transition temperature or melting point of the thermotropic liquid crystal polymer and rises to or above its glass transition temperature or melting transition point, the molecular structure of the thermotropic liquid crystal polymer becomes more disordered and the polymer becomes softer. When the ambient temperature is higher than the glass transition temperature or melting point of the thermotropic liquid crystal polymer and falls to or below its glass transition temperature or melting transition point, the polymer molecules become more ordered and exhibit high mechanical properties due to the self-reinforcement properties generated by the macromolecular orientation, thereby becoming harder.

[0086] In some embodiments, the fabric F can be designed to include a patterned array of stimuli-responsive regions / areas / zones and non-responsive regions / areas / zones. For example, the stimuli-responsive material can be embedded in a non-responsive supporting polymer layer (e.g., an elastic, flexible supporting layer) to form a patterned array of responsive regions / areas / zones (i.e., regions where the stimuli-responsive material is embedded in the supporting polymer) and non-responsive regions / areas / zones (e.g., regions where the stimuli-responsive material is not embedded).

[0087] In some embodiments, the humidity responsive material can be a composite material made of a humidity responsive material and a base polymer. The base polymer can be a polyurethane or polyurethane derivative, or silicone or its derivative polymer, or polyamide or its derivative, or polyester or its derivative polymer, or acrylic acid or its derivative polymer, or polyolefin or its derivative polymer, or ethyl acetate or its derivative polymer, or protein-based polymer, or starch-based polymer, or polysaccharide polymer, or algae polymer or rubber. It is also believed that the humidity responsive material is a blend of cellulose microfibers / nanofibers and / or graphene. Alternatively, the humidity responsive material can be bacterial spores with a cellulose microfiber / nanofiber base, or bacterial spores and a polyurethane substrate. The bacterial spores are selected from, for example, non-pathogenic strains of the bacillus genus, such as Bacillus atrophaeus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus stearothermophil. Alternatively, the humidity responsive material may include lignin, lignin derivatives, chitin, chitin derivatives, natural or regenerated proteins and their derivatives, synthetic polymers (i.e., polylactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoates, silicone polymers, etc.), cellulose and cellulosic materials, biomaterials, microorganisms, starch materials, and inorganic materials (i.e., graphene, carbon, graphite, silicone, glass, metallic materials).

[0088] In some exemplary embodiments, the back side of the fabric surface is coated with a temperature-responsive polymer, such as poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and its derivatives, which undergoes a dramatic configuration change when the temperature exceeds its lower critical solution temperature (LCST) (35°C to 39°C), thereby changing from hydrophilic to hydrophobic. In this way, the surface of the fabric remains hydrophilic when the body is at rest, which helps with moisture management; and becomes hydrophobic during activity to produce a dry feeling and push sweat through the fabric to the outside to achieve an evaporative cooling effect. In some embodiments, the temperature-responsive material can be thermochromic, that is, it changes color when the temperature changes. For example, the temperature-responsive material can include photonic crystals embedded in an elastic polymer, which is a temperature-responsive polymer, such as poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) or a blend of temperature-responsive polymers. In other embodiments, the temperature-responsive material is a composite material made of a temperature-responsive material and a base polymer. In other embodiments, the base polymer can be polyurethane or polyurethane derivatives, or silicone or its derivative polymers, or polyamide or its derivatives, or polyester or its derivative polymers, or acrylic or its derivative polymers, or polyolefin or its derivative polymers, or ethyl acetate or its derivative polymers, or protein-based polymers, or starch-based polymers, or polysaccharide polymers, or algae polymers or rubber. The temperature responsive material can include shape memory materials (i.e., Ti-Ni shape memory alloys, Cu-Al-Zn-based alloys, aliphatic polyesters (e.g., poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and its derivatives, polyurethane-based polymers, azophenyl polymers), phase change materials (i.e., paraffin, poly(ethylene glycol) and its derivatives, fatty acids and their derivatives, polyols and their derivatives), photochromic materials, color-changing materials (salvatochromatic material), piezochromic materials, mechanochromic materials, natural or regenerated proteins and their derivatives, synthetic polymers, cellulose and cellulosic materials, biomaterials, microorganisms, starch materials, and inorganic materials. In some embodiments, one of the responsive materials can be a strain responsive material or a stress responsive material. In one embodiment, a strain / stress responsive material can be applied to the front side and can change its size (expand or contract), its configuration (to conform to body curves, change its physical properties such as hygroscopicity, density, optical properties), its chemical structure (bonding or debonding, cross-linking, etc.), its stiffness / elasticity, or its color in response to changes in pressure / tension applied to the material. The strain / stress responsive material can become stiffer when the fabric deformation increases or the compression applied to the fabric increases, or can expand when stretched or compressed (e.g., auxetic materials). Auxetic materials are materials with a negative Poisson's ratio that expand (become thicker) in a direction perpendicular to the applied force.For example, in response to changes in pressure applied to the material, such as slight swelling of a body part during activity or impact, the material may expand or soften (become more elastic) to provide a freer feel and better breathability, or may shrink and harden to create a tighter feel and cushion impact. In some embodiments, strain / stress responsive materials (e.g., rubber) release heat or absorb heat when the material is subjected to compression / tension.

[0089] In one embodiment, the strain / stress responsive material may include a warming agent or a cooling agent that is released when a force is applied to the fabric. Examples of strain / stress responsive materials that can harden when a force is applied are: cross-linked polymer networks (e.g., fibroblasts, myocytes, neurons, actin, collagen) hydrogels, agarose gels, composite hydrogels based on cellulose nanofibers, glycol-functionalized polyisocyanopeptide hydrogels, poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(n-butyl acrylate) block copolymer hydrogels, or liquid metal / elastomer composites, such as Galinstan liquid metal droplets / polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composites or nanocomposites, such as carbon nanotubes / polydimethylsiloxane composites, nano-SiC / polyurea nanocomposites, silica / acrylonitrile butadiene rubber nanocomposites, graphene / poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposites. Examples of strain / stress responsive materials that can soften when a force is applied can be composites, such as carbon fiber elastomer composites or nanocomposites.

[0090] In one embodiment, the stimulus-responsive material may include a self-healing agent that reinforces the fabric with additional stiffness, elasticity, or durability, or repairs fabric damage by cross-linking, curing, solidification, or material growth. The self-healing material may be a healing agent encapsulated in a microcapsule or fiber. When the microcapsule or fiber shell is damaged by environmental stimuli such as strain, abrasion, or wet / heat response, the encapsulated healing agent is released and begins to self-heal. For example, the self-healing material may be an isocyanate prepolymer encapsulated by a commercial polyurethane hardener and a 1,4-butanediol shell. Once the encapsulated isocyanate prepolymer is released under strain, it reacts with the polyurethane hardener and 1,4-butanediol and forms an elastic polyurethane coating on the fabric site to provide additional protection and elastic enhancement. In another example, the self-healing agent may be a squid ring tooth polymer, which has a self-healing function in water, so that a coating with a squid ring tooth polymer as a self-healing agent can repair any microscopic and macroscopic defects when in contact with water, such as when washing the fabric. The self-healing material can be a self-healing based on a microcapsule catalyst, a self-healing based on a double / multi-capsule, a self-healing based on a microcapsule latent function system, and a self-healing using a capsule catalyst material treatment method. The self-healing material can be a self-healing polymer containing a specific reversible chemical bond, which allows multiple repair steps to be performed when activated. These bonds include Diels-Alder reactions, free radical-based systems, supramolecular interactions, ionic interactions, and metal-ligand interactions. The self-healing material can be a polyelectrolyte coating made of positively and negatively charged polymers. The polyelectrolyte coating can be applied to one or more surfaces of the fabric F, such as the front, back, inner surface, or the first or second surface of at least one intermediate layer of the fabric F, or can be applied to one or more yarns, such as the first yarn, the second yarn, or the third yarn. In some embodiments, an enzyme can be incorporated into the self-healing material. The self-healing material can also be a microorganism or microbial spore encapsulated or embedded in a capsule, fiber, or polymer matrix. When the capsules, fibers or polymer matrices are activated by environmental stimuli, the microorganisms or spores will be released or exposed to the environment, begin to germinate and produce substances such as cellulose, protein, mycelium, etc.

[0091] In some embodiments, the strain / stress responsive material may include a photonic pigment that can change color space when the inter-particle distance changes (e.g., when the material is stretched or stressed). For example, the strain / stress responsive material may include photonic crystals embedded in an elastic polymer material or hydrogel (e.g., any suitable elastic material selected from elastomers, rubbers, polymer hydrogels, and aerogels, or blends of these elastic polymers).

[0092] In some embodiments, the strain / stress responsive material can be a composite material made of a strain / stress responsive material and a base polymer. The base polymer can be a polyurethane or polyurethane derivative, or a silicone or a derived polymer thereof, or a polyamide or a derivative thereof, or a polyester or a derived polymer thereof, or an acrylic or a derived polymer thereof, or a polyolefin or a derived polymer thereof, or ethyl acetate or a derived polymer thereof, or a protein-based polymer, or a starch-based polymer, or a polysaccharide polymer, or an algae polymer or rubber. In other embodiments, the strain / stress responsive material can include a liquid crystal polymer.

[0093] The moisture responsive material, temperature responsive material and strain / stress responsive material can be applied to the front or back of the fabric or both sides of the fabric in a solid or designed pattern, or applied to the yarn itself or mixed with other textile fibers or yarns. In some embodiments, the fabric can include a moisture responsive material coupled to at least a portion of the back of the fabric and a strain / stress responsive material coupled to at least a portion of the front of the fabric, or a temperature responsive material coupled to at least a portion of the back of the fabric and a strain / stress responsive material coupled to at least a portion of the front of the fabric, or a moisture responsive material and a temperature responsive material coupled to at least a portion of the back of the fabric and a strain / stress responsive material coupled to at least a portion of the front of the fabric, or any other suitable combination.

[0094] In some embodiments, the fabric can include an intermediate layer between the front layer and the back layer of the fabric. The intermediate layer can include yarns made of at least two responsive materials that independently respond to environmental stimuli. For example, the yarn included in the intermediate layer can include a humidity responsive material and a temperature responsive material, or a humidity responsive material and a strain / stress responsive material, or a strain / stress responsive material and a temperature responsive material. The yarn in the intermediate layer can be one or more yarns. In one embodiment, the fabric can be a spacer fabric, and the stimulus responsive material can be coated or embedded in the spacer yarn.

[0095] Humidity responsive materials, temperature responsive materials, and strain / stress responsive materials can improve the breathability of a fabric by causing the yarn or coating to expand or contract in response to an increase in temperature, humidity, or pressure applied to the fabric. For example, a temperature responsive material can expand due to temperature changes in the surrounding microclimate, thereby creating spaces with static air, increasing thermal insulation, or such expansion can reduce the contact surface with the wearer's skin or reduce the pressure applied by the fabric to the skin, thereby reducing friction between the fabric and the wearer's skin. Similarly, humidity responsive materials can expand or contract in response to changes in humidity levels, which can create airflow to improve humidity management and can reduce friction by creating raised structures with fewer contact points with the skin. In addition, the first region and / or the second region of the patterned fabric structure can curl or roll up and down in response to increased temperature, humidity, and / or pressure, thereby improving air convection and breathability of the fabric, thereby providing improved temperature, humidity, and compression / flexibility management for the fabric. In some embodiments, the pattern design of the first area and the second area can make at least a portion of the fabric swell in response to changes in temperature, humidity and / or strain / stress, thereby creating a space between the wearer's skin and the fabric or between two layers of fabric, thereby improving the thermal insulation provided by this fabric, the compressibility / elasticity of the fabric and the humidity management. For example, a part of the fabric can be swelled by making the yarn or coating expand or shrink in response to changes in temperature, humidity / humidity or strain / stress. There is a yarn or coating that can shrink in response to changes in temperature, humidity and / or pressure, and a region that provides greater pressure to the wearer's body can be formed, i.e., a compressed region is formed. Before the fabric is made, the humidity-responsive yarn or the heat-responsive yarn is post-finished with a responsive polymer (such as PNIPAM and derivatives). When sweating, the fabric changes in response to humidity or temperature and changes in shape to promote cooling, because the surface of the yarn changes from hydrophilic to hydrophobic to obtain a dry feeling. The post-finishing process can also be applied to the inner surface of the fabric after the fabric is made. In some embodiments, the fabric responds to changes in humidity, temperature, strain / stress, and changes shape to promote compression or hugging as the yarns and fabric contract to create the compression / hug feeling.

[0096] In some embodiments, the humidity / temperature / pressure responsive material includes a brush polymer finish or coating that can be used at the fiber / yarn or fabric level. The humidity / temperature / pressure responsive brush polymer can undergo a configuration change, thereby producing a soft or smooth feeling. For example, the mechanical properties of the brush polymer can change in response to changes in humidity / temperature / pressure, such as reducing or increasing the stretchability of the fabric / fabric region (region), which will change the soft feel (more stretchable areas will feel softer and / or smoother). In some embodiments, the brush polymer can change at the molecular level. For example, a bottle brush polymer can have phase transition side chains, thereby enabling structural control of Young's modulus and phase transition temperature (melting temperature Tm or glass transition temperature Tg). Bottle brush polymers (BBPs), also known as molecular (bottle) brushes, are a class of graft copolymers in which relatively short polymer side chains are densely grafted onto the polymer backbone by covalent bonds. For example, the brush polymer can be a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (pDMS) bottle brush elastomer whose backbone is poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(benzyl methacrylate) (PBzMA) or poly(lower (ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether methacrylate) [P(OEOMA)]. In the crystalline or glassy state, when the temperature T is less than Tm or Tg, the bottle brush polymer is more rigid / rough or hard. When the temperature changes, such as when the body temperature rises above Tm / Tg, the side chains of the polymer undergo a phase transition from the crystalline state to the molten / glassy state (rubbery state, Young's modulus is reduced by several orders of magnitude, resulting in a soft or smooth feeling). By adjusting the degree of polymerization and crosslinking density of the side chains, the phase transition temperature of the brush polymers can be fine-tuned, thereby fine-tuning their mechanical properties. In some embodiments, multiple brush polymer layers can be used as a coating, each polymer layer undergoing a different change under stimulation (temperature change), thereby fine-tuning or customizing the desired feeling / response. In some embodiments, the brush polymer can be selected from poly(valerolactone)-PVL, poly(n-butyl acrylate)-PnBA, and poly(octadecyl acrylate-docosyl acrylate) (poly(ODA-stat-DA)) copolymers. In some embodiments, the strain / stress responsive material that changes color in response to a change in pressure may include a bottle brush polymer, such as poly(norbornene)-graft-poly(styrene))-block-(poly-(norbornene)-graft-poly(dimethylsiloxane).

[0097] The humidity responsive material may be selected from a synthetic polymer, a natural material or a combination thereof. Preferably, the humidity responsive material is polyurethane and / or a polyurethane derivative. The humidity responsive material is made of cellulose, protein, starch, algae, lignocellulose, chitin or chitosan or a derivative of cellulose, protein, starch, algae, lignocellulose, chitin, chitosan or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the humidity responsive material may include a liquid crystal polymer.

[0098] Alternatively, the humidity responsive material may include bacterial spores, plant cells, or natural components produced or isolated from microorganisms, plants or animals, or artificial components that simulate the structure and function of bacterial spores, plant cells, or natural components produced or isolated from microorganisms, plants or animals.

[0099] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the humidity responsive material can be a composite material made of a humidity responsive material and a base polymer, and the base polymer can be polyurethane or a polyurethane derivative, silicone or a derivative polymer, polyamide or a derivative, polyester or a derivative polymer, acrylic or a derivative compound, polyolefin or a derivative polymer, ethyl acetate or a derivative polymer, a protein-based polymer, a starch-based polymer, a polysaccharide polymer, an algae polymer, or a rubber.

[0100] It is also included that the humidity responsive material is a mixture of cellulose microfibers / nanofibers and / or graphene.

[0101] Also included are highly thermally conductive coolants and / or chemicals that activate skin transient receptor potential (TRP) channels to trigger a cool sensation, such as cooling oils or cooling chemicals extracted from cooling oils (encapsulated or unencapsulated) that can be coated on the back of the fabric together with humidity responsive materials and / or temperature responsive materials (e.g., polyurethane and its derivatives, cellulose microfibers / nanofibers and graphene mixtures, bacterial spores, and / or thermal responsive materials (e.g., polyurethane or polyurethane copolymers or composites). When these responsive materials respond to humidity or temperature changes for better breathability, the cooling oil or cooling chemicals diffuse out and create a cool sensation on the skin. The cooling oil can be a plant oil extracted from plants such as peppermint, spearmint, jojoba oil, tea tree, eucalyptus globulus, and eucalyptus radiata, or any combination thereof. For example, when temperature / humidity / pressure changes, the humidity, temperature, or strain / stress responsive material can expand, thereby forming openings in the material for air circulation and forming a path that easily diffuses to the wearer's skin, thereby creating a cool sensation.

[0102] Similarly, insulating warming agents and / or chemicals that activate skin transient receptor potential (TRP) channels to trigger a sense of warmth, such as warming oils or warming chemicals extracted from these oils (encapsulated or not) can also be coated on the back of the fabric together with strain / stress materials, moisture responsive materials and / or temperature responsive materials (such as polyurethane and its derivatives, cellulose microfibers / nanofibers and graphene mixtures, bacterial spores and / or thermal responsive materials (such as polyurethane or polyurethane copolymers or composites). When these responsive materials respond to changes in humidity or temperature to achieve better breathability, the warming oil or warming chemicals will diffuse out and create a warm feeling on the skin to further stimulate the sweat glands to produce more sweat, while the warm feeling will inhibit the generation of wetness. In some embodiments, when the temperature changes, the temperature-responsive yarn / fabric area can shrink, thereby creating pressure on adjacent body parts, while the warming oil creates a warm feeling. The combination of pressure and warmth can enhance or simulate the feeling of being hugged.

[0103] The warming oil can be a vegetable oil extracted from plants such as black pepper, cardamom, clove buds, ginger, juniper berries, marjoram, and rosemary, or any combination of these.

[0104] Similarly, fragrance oils or fragrance chemicals extracted from these oils (whether encapsulated or not) can also be coated with moisture responsive materials and / or temperature responsive materials. When these responsive materials respond to changes in humidity or temperature, the fragrance oils or fragrance chemicals will diffuse out and produce a smell / aroma around the wearer, which can stimulate or calm the user. Similarly, nutrients that can be absorbed by the skin can also be coated on the fabric with moisture responsive materials, temperature responsive materials and / or stress / strain responsive materials, so that when these materials respond to the applied stimulus (changes in temperature, humidity or stress), the nutrients can be released and absorbed through the skin.

[0105] In embodiments, the fabric may include at least one pigment that can change color due to a stimulus (humidity, temperature, or stress / strain).

[0106] The temperature responsive materials described herein change from being hydrophilic with a high moisture regain to being hydrophobic with a lower moisture regain when the temperature of the adjacent climate increases above a lower critical temperature.

[0107] As described herein, a temperature responsive material (e.g., polyurethane or a polyurethane copolymer or composite) can be coated on the back of a fabric and a humidity responsive material can be coated on the front of the fabric. When body temperature rises, the temperature responsive material expands, creating large pores in its own structure and in the fabric structure. The enlarged pore size improves the breathability of the fabric and the thermal convection between the microenvironment and the surrounding environment. As sweat is drained from the back of the fabric to the front of the fabric, the humidity responsive material responds to the humidity and expands, which further expands the pore size of the fabric and promotes an evaporative cooling effect by conducting moisture from the surroundings.

[0108] Alternatively, the temperature responsive material can be applied to the back of the fabric first, and then the humidity responsive material can be further applied in a pattern on the temperature responsive material layer or on the front of the fabric. When the body temperature rises, the temperature responsive material will expand, creating large pores in its own structure and the fabric structure. The enlarged pore size can improve the breathability of the fabric and the thermal convection between the microenvironment and the surrounding environment. As sweat is absorbed, the humidity responsive material will expand, further expanding the pore size of the fabric, while creating a raised structure that keeps the fabric away from the body's skin, thereby improving thermal convection and reducing friction.

[0109] Alternatively, the temperature responsive material may be coated on the back or front of the fabric first, and then the humidity responsive material may be coated in a pattern on or near the thermal responsive material layer.

[0110] The temperature responsive material of the present invention is polyurethane, polyurethane copolymer or a combination thereof, preferably poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and / or its derivatives and / or its copolymers and / or a combination thereof. The lower critical temperature of the temperature responsive material is preferably 34°C to 40°C.

[0111] Responsive materials are printed onto the target material by screen printing, inkjet printing or additive manufacturing. Responsive materials can be used in the printing process in solution, melt or powder form. Vacuum, heat or heated compression can be used to help the coating material penetrate into / bond to the fabric. Responsive materials respond to environmental stimuli such as humidity, heat, UV light or mechanical strain by changing their size, color or mechanical properties.

[0112] Including applying the humidity response material to the first yarn of the fabric layer, applying the temperature response material to the second yarn of the fabric layer. The first yarn can be a synthetic polymer, a biosynthetic polymer, a fiber based on natural materials, such as cellulose, alginate, protein, chitosan, starch, lignocellulosic fiber or a combination thereof. The second yarn can include a synthetic polymer, a biosynthetic polymer, a fiber based on natural materials, such as cellulose, alginate, protein, chitosan, starch, lignocellulosic fiber or a combination thereof. In the embodiment where the fabric includes an intermediate layer between the front and back of the fabric, this intermediate layer can include a third yarn, wherein one or more stimulus response materials can be applied, wherein at least two response materials independently respond to environmental stimuli. The third yarn can include a synthetic polymer, a biosynthetic polymer, a fiber based on natural materials, such as cellulose, alginate, protein, chitosan, starch, lignocellulosic fiber or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the intermediate layer can be a spacer fabric with a spacer yarn, and one or more stimulus response materials can be applied to the spacer yarn, wherein at least two response materials independently respond to environmental stimuli. The spacer yarn can include a synthetic polymer, a biosynthetic polymer, a fiber based on natural materials, such as cellulose.

[0113] As described herein, the fabric can be used in any type of clothing, including shirts, headwear, coats, jackets, pants, underwear, gloves, socks and footwear, or outdoor sports accessories (such as sleeping bags), or home textiles (such as pillowcases, mattress covers). The moisture responsive material can be applied in a pattern along the pores formed in the fabric structure. Figure 5A garment, such as a shirt 100, is shown in which responsive materials are applied in various patterns, for example, a temperature responsive material T can be applied to the back of the fabric, and a moisture responsive material M can be applied to the front of the fabric, thereby forming a first area 110 on the fabric, wherein the temperature responsive material T is closer to the wearer's body, and the moisture responsive material M is away from the wearer's body. The garment 100 may also include a second area 120, wherein the moisture responsive material M is closer to the wearer's body, and the temperature responsive material T is away from the wearer. In some embodiments, the first area may include only the moisture responsive material M, and the second area may include only the temperature responsive material T (or vice versa, the first area includes the thermal responsive material T, and the second area includes the moisture responsive material M), thereby forming a design pattern. In some embodiments, the moisture responsive material area and the temperature responsive material area may be adjacent to each other or may be spaced apart. The garment 100 may also include a third area 130, wherein at least a strain / stress responsive material is applied, applied alone or in combination with a moisture responsive material and / or a temperature responsive material. The first, second and / or third areas of the patterned fabric structure of shirt 100 may curl or roll up and down in response to increases in temperature, humidity and / or pressure, improving air convection, breathability of the fabric, and thereby providing a fabric with improved temperature, moisture and compression / flexibility management.

[0114] The fabric described is a weft knitted fabric or a warp knitted fabric, a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a braided fabric, a 3D printed fabric or a laminated fabric. The stimulus response material can be in the form of ink, and can be applied to the fabric surface or the yarn surface by coating (e.g., spraying), bonding, inkjet printing, screen printing. Alternatively, the stimulus response material can be in the form of particles, and can be applied to the fabric surface or the yarn surface by coating (e.g., spraying) or printing (e.g., laser printing or 3D printing). Alternatively, the stimulus response material can be in the form of a film, and can be applied to the fabric surface by lamination, bonding or printing (e.g., engraving screen printing or transfer printing). The fabric described herein allows flexibility in pattern design and pattern size (complex patterns without repeating units can be achieved). Figure 4 Some possible pattern examples of moisture responsive material and / or temperature responsive material applied to fabric are shown. Moisture responsive material and temperature responsive material can be applied using the same design pattern or different design patterns. Figure 4The design patterns shown in are for illustrative purposes only, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that any other design patterns may be used to apply the humidity responsive materials and / or temperature responsive materials covered herein. Multiple coating materials may be applied in a single coating process by using multiple nozzles or adjusting the coating material laid on the surface. A method for manufacturing the fabric described herein is also provided, which allows for the production of colorful and multifunctional coatings in a single coating process. High precision and high amplitude coating pattern structures with variable dimensions (e.g., the width and thickness of the lines in the pattern) may be applied. The method for manufacturing the fabric described herein allows for the avoidance of applying heat and pressure to the surface of the target material.

[0115] Although the disclosure has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, it will be understood that it is capable of further modifications, and this application is intended to cover any changes, uses or adaptations within the known or customary practice in the art that depart from the disclosure but may be applied to the basic features set forth above, and within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A fabric comprising: a fabric layer comprising a first yarn forming a front side facing the surrounding environment and a second yarn forming a back side facing the wearer; and at least two stimulus-responsive materials applied to at least a portion of the fabric, the at least two stimulus-responsive materials being different materials that independently respond to environmental stimuli, One of the responsive materials is a temperature responsive material that dynamically changes its size, configuration, chemical structure, color or its stiffness / elasticity in response to changes in ambient temperature; or a humidity responsive material that dynamically changes its size, configuration, chemical structure, color or stiffness / elasticity in response to changes in ambient humidity.

2. The fabric of claim 1 , wherein the second responsive material of the at least two stimulus responsive materials is a strain / stress responsive material that dynamically changes its size, chemical structure, stiffness / elasticity or color in response to a force applied to the fabric.

3. The fabric according to claim 2, wherein the strain / stress responsive material is applied to the front side of the fabric and the temperature responsive material or the humidity responsive material is applied to the back side of the fabric.

4. The fabric according to claim 1, wherein the fabric comprises three stimulus responsive materials, a first responsive material being a temperature responsive material, a second responsive material being a humidity responsive material, and a third responsive material being a strain / stress responsive material.

5. The fabric of claim 1, wherein the moisture responsive material is applied to a front side of the fabric layer and the temperature responsive material is applied to a back side of the fabric layer.

6. The fabric of claim 1, wherein the moisture responsive material is applied to a back side of the fabric layer and the temperature responsive material is applied to a front side of the fabric layer.

7. The fabric of claim 1, wherein the temperature responsive material is applied to a front surface of the fabric layer and the moisture responsive material is applied over the temperature responsive material.

8. The fabric of claim 1, wherein the moisture responsive material is applied to the back side of the fabric layer and the temperature responsive material is applied over the moisture responsive material.

9. The fabric of claim 2, wherein the moisture responsive material is applied to a back side of the fabric layer and the strain / stress responsive material is applied to a front side of the fabric layer.

10. The fabric of claim 2, wherein the temperature responsive material is applied to a back side of the fabric layer and the strain / stress responsive material is applied to a front side of the fabric layer.

11. The fabric of claim 2, wherein the temperature responsive material is applied to a front side of the fabric layer and the strain / stress responsive material is applied to a back side of the fabric layer.

12. The fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the fabric comprises a front layer, a back layer and an intermediate layer located between the front layer and the back layer of the fabric.

13. The fabric of claim 12, wherein the intermediate layer comprises a third yarn comprising at least two responsive materials that independently respond to environmental stimuli.

14. The fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the moisture responsive material is selected from synthetic polymers, natural materials or combinations thereof.

15. The fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the moisture responsive material is at least one of polyurethane and a polyurethane derivative.

16. The fabric of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the humidity responsive material is a liquid crystal.

17. The fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the moisture responsive material is made of cellulose, protein, starch, algae, lignocellulose, chitin, chitosan or derivatives thereof.

18. The fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the moisture responsive material is a bacterial spore; a plant cell; a microorganism; a natural component produced or isolated from a microorganism, a plant or an animal; or an artificial component that simulates the structure and function of the moisture responsive material.

19. The fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the moisture responsive material is a composite material made of a moisture responsive material and a base polymer.

20. The fabric of claim 14, wherein the moisture responsive material is a blend of cellulose microfibers / nanofibers and / or graphene.

21. The fabric of claim 19, wherein the base polymer is polyurethane, silicone, polyamide, polyester, acrylic, polyolefin, vinyl acetate, or derivatives thereof.

22. The fabric of claim 19, wherein the base polymer is a protein-based polymer, a starch-based polymer, a polysaccharide polymer, an algae polymer, or a rubber.

23. The fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the humidity responsive material comprises a photonic crystal embedded in a polymer, an inorganic material, a multilayer structured material made of an inorganic nanomaterial coated with a polymer, a multilayer inorganic nanostructured material, or a liquid crystal, wherein the photonic crystal dynamically changes its color when the ambient humidity changes.

24. The fabric of any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the moisture responsive material comprises a brush polymer.

25. The fabric of any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the moisture responsive material comprises a liquid crystal polymer or a liquid crystal dispersed polymer.

26. The fabric of any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the humidity responsive material changes its stiffness / elasticity, size, configuration, chemical structure or color in response to changes in humidity.

27. The fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein the moisture responsive material comprises a water-soluble lyotropic liquid crystal polymer and a moisture responsive polymer, and when exposed to moisture, the moisture responsive polymer swells and exposes the water-soluble lyotropic liquid crystal polymer to moisture, and wherein the liquid crystal polymer swells and becomes softer.

28. The fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein the moisture responsive material comprises a soluble lyotropic liquid crystal polymer and a moisture responsive polymer, and when exposed to moisture, the moisture responsive polymer swells and exposes the soluble lyotropic liquid crystal polymer to moisture, and wherein the solvent of the liquid crystal polymer is extracted by the moisture and the liquid crystal polymer solidifies and acquires higher stiffness.

29. The fabric of any one of claims 1 to 27, wherein the temperature responsive material changes its stiffness / elasticity, size, configuration, chemical structure or color in response to temperature changes.

30. The fabric of any one of claims 1 to 29, wherein the temperature responsive material changes from being hydrophilic with a high moisture regain to being hydrophobic with a lower moisture regain when the temperature of the adjacent climate increases above a lower critical temperature.

31. The fabric of claim 30, wherein the temperature responsive material is poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), a derivative thereof, a copolymer thereof, or a combination thereof.

32. The fabric of claim 31 , wherein the lower critical temperature is 34°C to 40°C.

33. The fabric of any one of claims 1 to 32, wherein the temperature responsive material is polyurethane, a polyurethane copolymer, or a combination thereof.

34. The fabric of any one of claims 1 to 32, wherein the temperature responsive material is a composite material made of a temperature responsive material and a base polymer.

35. The fabric of claim 34, wherein the base polymer is polyurethane, silicone, polyamide, polyester, acrylic, polyolefin, vinyl acetate or a polymer derived therefrom.

36. The fabric of claim 34, wherein the base polymer is a protein-based polymer, a starch-based polymer, a polysaccharide polymer, an algae polymer, or a rubber.

37. A fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 36, wherein the temperature responsive material comprises photonic crystals embedded in a temperature responsive polymer or a blend of temperature responsive polymers.

38. The fabric of any one of claims 1 to 37, wherein the temperature responsive material comprises a brush polymer.

39. A fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 37, wherein the temperature responsive material comprises a liquid crystal polymer or a liquid crystal dispersed polymer.

40. The fabric of claim 39, wherein the liquid crystal polymer is a thermotropic liquid crystal polymer.

41. The fabric of claim 40, wherein the thermotropic liquid crystal polymer has a glass transition temperature or melting point above ambient temperature or below ambient temperature.

42. The fabric of claim 2, wherein the strain / stress responsive material changes its stiffness / elasticity, size, or color in response to a force applied to at least a portion of the fabric.

43. The fabric of claim 42, wherein the strain / stress responsive material is a composite material made of a strain / stress responsive material and a base polymer.

44. The fabric of claim 43, wherein the base polymer is polyurethane, silicone, polyamide, polyester, acrylic, polyolefin, vinyl acetate or a derivative polymer thereof.

45. The fabric of claim 43, wherein the base polymer is a protein-based polymer, a starch-based polymer, a polysaccharide polymer, an algae polymer, or a rubber.

46. ​​A fabric according to any one of claims 43 to 45, wherein the strain / stress responsive material comprises a brush polymer.

47. A fabric according to any one of claims 43 to 45, wherein the strain / stress responsive material comprises a liquid crystal polymer.

48. A fabric according to any one of claims 43 to 45, wherein the strain / stress responsive material comprises photonic crystals embedded in an elastic polymer or blend of elastic polymers.

49. A fabric according to any one of claims 43 to 45, wherein the strain / stress responsive material stiffens in response to a force, the strain / stress responsive material being selected from a cross-linked polymer network, any suitable hydrogel, any suitable liquid metal and elastomeric composite, or any suitable nanocomposite material.

50. A fabric according to any one of claims 43 to 45, wherein the strain / stress responsive material softens in response to a force, the strain / stress responsive material being selected from carbon fibre and elastomeric composites or nanocomposites.

51. The fabric of any one of claims 1 to 50, further comprising at least one cooling agent, the at least one cooling agent being thermally conductive and / or being a chemical agent that activates transient receptor potential (TRP) channels of the skin that trigger the generation of a cooling sensation.

52. The fabric of claim 51, wherein the at least one cooling agent is a cooling oil, a cooling oil extract, a synthetic chemical having the same chemical structure as a cooling oil extract, or a bioprocessed chemical having the same chemical structure as a cooling oil extract.

53. The fabric of claim 51 or 52, wherein the at least one coolant is encapsulated or wrapped by at least one of the humidity responsive material and the temperature responsive material.

54. The fabric of any one of claims 51 to 53, wherein the at least one cooling agent is a cooling oil extracted from the peppermint plant, spearmint plant, jojoba oil, tea tree, eucalyptus globulus, eucalyptus radiata, or a combination thereof.

55. The fabric of any one of claims 1 to 54, further comprising at least one warming agent having thermal insulating or reflective properties and / or being a chemical agent that activates skin transient receptor potential (TRP) channels that trigger the generation of a sensation of warmth.

56. The fabric of claim 55, wherein the at least one warming agent is a warming oil, a warming oil extract, a synthetic chemical having the same chemical structure as a warming oil extract, or a bioprocessed chemical having the same chemical structure as a warming oil extract.

57. The fabric of claim 55 or 56, wherein the at least one warming agent is encapsulated or wrapped by at least one of the moisture responsive material and the temperature responsive material.

58. The fabric of any one of claims 55 to 57, wherein the at least one warming agent is a warming oil extracted from black pepper, cardamom, clove buds, ginger, juniper berries, marjoram, rosemary, or a combination thereof.

59. The fabric of any one of claims 1 to 58, wherein the fabric further comprises at least one self-healing material that reinforces the fabric with additional stiffness, elasticity or durability, or repairs damage to the fabric by cross-linking, curing, solidification or material growth.

60. The fabric according to claim 59, wherein the self-repairing material is a repairing agent encapsulated in microcapsules or fibers, wherein when damaged by environmental stimuli, the encapsulated repairing material is released and starts self-repairing.

61. The fabric of claim 60, wherein the environmental stimulus is stretching, abrasion, or a moisture / heat response of the shell of the microcapsules or fibers.

62. The fabric according to any one of claims 59 to 61, wherein the self-healing material is a self-healing material based on microcapsule catalysts, a self-healing material based on double / multi-capsules, a self-healing material based on microcapsule latent function systems, or a self-healing material using a capsule catalyst material treatment method.

63. The fabric of any one of claims 59 to 62, wherein the self-healing material is an isocyanate prepolymer encapsulated by a polyurethane hardener and a 1,4-butanediol shell.

64. The fabric of any one of claims 59 to 62, wherein the self-healing material is a self-healing polymer containing specific reversible chemical bonds that allow multiple repair steps to occur upon activation.

65. The fabric of claim 64, wherein the reversible chemical bond is a Diels-Alder reaction, a free radical based system, a supramolecular interaction, an ionic interaction, or a metal-ligand interaction.

66. The fabric of any one of claims 59 to 66, wherein the self-healing material is a polyelectrolyte made of positively charged polymers and negatively charged polymers.

67. The fabric of any one of claims 59 to 66, wherein the self-healing material is an encapsulated microorganism or microbial spore that grows and produces a reinforcing material.

68. The fabric of any one of claims 1 to 67, further comprising at least one fragrance or anti-odor agent.

69. The fabric of any one of claims 1 to 68, further comprising at least one skin absorbable nutrient.

70. The fabric of any one of claims 1 to 69, further comprising at least one pigment.

71. A fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 70, wherein the moisture responsive material is applied in a pattern along apertures formed in the fabric layer structure.

72. The fabric of any one of claims 1 to 71, wherein the fabric is a weft knitted fabric, a warp knitted fabric, a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a braided fabric, or a 3D printed fabric.

73. A fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 72, wherein the first yarn is a synthetic polymer, a biosynthetic polymer, or a fiber based on a natural material.

74. A fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 73, wherein the second yarn comprises a biosynthetic polymer or a fiber based on a natural material.

75. The fabric of claim 73 or 74, wherein the natural material based fibers are cellulose, alginate, protein, chitosan, starch, lignocellulosic fibers, or combinations thereof.

76. An article of clothing comprising the fabric of any one of Claims 1 to 75.

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