Controllable liquid transport material, system, and method for preparing thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional moisture management fabrics struggle to efficiently transport excessive sweat, leading to discomfort, reduced breathability, and increased risk of skin issues due to saturation, while also failing to prevent external liquid penetration.
Innovation Solution
A controllable liquid transport material with a hydrophobic main region and discretely distributed hydrophilic regions of varying wettability or pore sizes, combined with smart materials driven by external forces like electroosmotic forces or ultrasonic oscillation, for directional and efficient sweat transport while repelling external liquids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If moisture absorbent natural fibers (wool, cotton) are used to absorb sweat, then the body skin remains dry under low perspiration rates, but the fabrics become heavy and clingy when saturated, reducing breathability and comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric is divided into distinct functional layers: a hydrophobic outer layer that blocks external liquid penetration, and a hydrophilic inner layer that absorbs and transports sweat away from the skin. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally without the drawbacks of a uniformly absorbent fabric.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the fabric are given different wettability properties - the outer surface is made hydrophobic to repel external liquids, while the inner surface near the skin is made hydrophilic to absorb sweat. This local differentiation enables the fabric to simultaneously repel external liquids and manage internal moisture effectively.
2Productivity
If synthetic fibers (nylon, polyester) are used for quick wicking and drying, then evaporation efficiency increases, but the fabrics cannot prevent penetration by external liquids
Solution Approach 1:
The outer layer of the fabric is specifically engineered with hydrophobic properties to repel external liquids, while the inner layer maintains hydrophilic characteristics for efficient sweat wicking. This local quality differentiation allows the fabric to simultaneously achieve quick drying performance and external liquid protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric combines materials with different wettability properties into a composite structure - hydrophobic materials for the outer layer to block external liquids, and hydrophilic materials for the inner layer to enable quick sweat transport and evaporation. This composite approach integrates the benefits of both material types.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If breathable protective fabrics (Gore-Tex) are used to block external liquids, then liquid penetration is prevented, but sweat liquid transport away from the skin becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric is segmented into two distinct layers with different functions: the outer hydrophobic layer provides liquid penetration resistance, while the inner hydrophilic layer ensures efficient sweat transport. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by assigning different performance requirements to different parts of the system.
Solution Approach 2:
Different wettability properties are applied locally to different layers - the outer layer is made hydrophobic to block external liquids, while the inner layer is made hydrophilic to enhance sweat transport efficiency. This local quality approach allows simultaneous achievement of both protection and performance.
4Ease of operation
If fabrics with through-thickness wettability gradients are used for directional liquid transport, then liquid flow direction is controllable, but liquid absorption by the hydrophilic layer increases weight and reduces breathability when saturated
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric is divided into distinct hydrophobic and hydrophilic layers, each with a thickness optimized for its specific function. The hydrophilic layer is sufficiently thin to limit sweat absorption and weight increase, while the hydrophobic layer provides adequate external liquid protection. This segmented structure achieves directional transport control without excessive weight gain.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables effective directional sweat transport, reduces clinginess, maintains breathability, and prevents external liquid penetration, enhancing comfort and performance by actively managing sweat through capillary action and external stimuli.
Implementation Method 1
liquid tends to flow from the hydrophobic side to the hydrophilic side as a result of differential capillary pressure
Implementation Method 2
differential capillary pressure
Implementation Method 3
actively controllable liquid transport driven by external forces (e.g., electroosmotic force or ultrasonic oscillation)
Implementation Method 4
actively controllable liquid transport driven by external forces (e.g., electroosmotic force or ultrasonic oscillation)
Implementation Method 5
allow water evaporation freely but block the penetration of liquids, because the fabric pores are between the sizes of liquid and gaseous state water molecules
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are a controllable liquid transport material, a controllable liquid transport system and a method for preparing a controllable liquid transport material, where a first region of the controllable liquid transport material is treated to be hydrophobic, while a plurality of second regions partially contacted or completely separated with different shapes are treated to have a gradient or varied wettabilities and/or pore sizes for passively controllable liquid transport, and/or integrated with a smart material for actively controllable liquid transport driven by an external force, allowing efficiently and controllably directional transport of a liquid e.g., sweat. The controllable liquid transport system comprises a controllable liquid transport material used as a liquid transport layer and a breathable, waterproof protective layer.