Fabric Softening Composition with Phase Change Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fabrics fail to provide a consistent and comfortable temperature regulation across varying climates, lacking effective methods to maintain a cool feel and buffer against temperature changes.
Innovation Solution
A fabric softening composition incorporating a material with a thermal phase transition temperature between 26 to 39°C, encapsulated in particles of specific sizes, is applied to fabrics to provide a cool feel and temperature regulation by absorbing and releasing heat during phase changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If phase change materials are incorporated into polymer melt prior to fibre extrusion, then temperature control benefit is provided, but the process complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change material is pre-incorporated into the polymer melt before fibre extrusion, so that the temperature control functionality is built into the fabric structure in advance. This preliminary action eliminates the need for post-processing applications and simplifies the overall manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase change material is merged with the polymer matrix during fibre extrusion, creating a composite structure where the temperature control functionality is integrated into the fabric itself. This combining approach reduces process complexity by eliminating separate application steps.
2Temperature
If phase change materials are attached to fabric from a fabric softening composition, then the cool feel and temperature regulation are improved, but the application process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric softening composition serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the usual softening effect and also deposits the phase change material for temperature control. This multi-functionality approach simplifies the application process by combining two functions into a single treatment step.
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric softening composition self-delivers the phase change material to the fabric surface during the softening process. The material is deposited as part of the normal softening application, eliminating the need for separate application equipment or processes.
3Quantity of substance
If liquid or gel form composition is applied to fabric, then the phase transition material can be effectively deposited, but the fabric experiences messiness feeling
Solution Approach 1:
The composition is formulated with specific viscosity and rheological parameters that allow effective material deposition while preventing messiness. By optimizing these physical parameters, the composition achieves the right balance between depositability and clean application.
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric softening composition is formulated as a composite system that combines the phase change material with softening agents and carriers in specific ratios. This composite formulation ensures effective material deposition while maintaining a clean, non-messy application characteristic.
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 composition effectively imparts a noticeable cool feel and temperature regulation to fabrics, providing a pleasant sensation and climate control by absorbing and releasing heat, similar to phase change materials, without causing a 'messiness' feeling.
Implementation Method 1
TPTT are materials that can absorb, store and release heat whilst the material changes its physical form. This is known as a phase change.
Implementation Method 2
During these phase changes large amounts of heat are absorbed or released.
Data Source
AI summary
A fabric softening composition comprising a fabric softening compound and a material having a thermal phase transition temperature in the range 26 to 39°C encapsulated in a polymer shell (TPTT material) to provide encapsulated particles having a particle size in the ranges from 10 nm to 1000 μm, preferably from 50 nm to 100 μm, more preferably 0.2 to 20 μm.