Abstract: In a facemask (100), atmospheric air is filtered by a disposable surgical mask (180) to form respirable air. The facemask (100) has a frame (150) formed with an interior cavity (151) for storing the respirable air to be breathed by the user. A thermoregulation unit (110) mounted to the frame (150) provides air conditioning to the respirable air by using a fan (421) to draw the respirable air from the cavity (151) to a heat exchanger (425) that contacts a thermoelectric module (410) to thermoelectrically transport heat to outside the frame (150), thereby cooling the drawn respirable air and condensing water vapor therein. The condensed water vapor is trapped by the heat exchanger (425). Cool and dry respirable air is released back to the cavity (151), thus providing thermal comfort to the user during breathing. A heat sink (432) contacted with the thermoelectric module (410) is used with a fan (431) to efficiently dissipate heat from the thermoelectric module (410) to outside the frame (150).

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A fabric having a base layer with an inside and a face side. The base layer may be hydrophobic and/or omniphobic. The fabric also has a hydrophilic transport layer, a portion of which passes through one or more ducts in the side of the base layer for absorbing liquids. The inner portion may have a shape configured to better absorb and move liquids. The liquids are transported to the face side of the base layer. A covering layer may be disposed on the face side of the base layer such that the outer portion of the transport layer is between the base and covering layers. In some embodiments, an inner layer is disposed on the inside of the base layer such that the inner portion of the transport layer is between the inner layer and the base layer.

Abstract: An embodiment of a robotic fabric has a first fabric layer and an actuator that is configured to have a first state and a second state. A property of the first fabric layer is different when the actuator is in the first state as compared to the property of the first fabric layer when the actuator is in the second state.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a garment for regulating a temperature of a wearer is provided. The garment includes a fabric configured to be worn by the wearer. The fabric includes channels parallel to a primary surface of the fabric. The garment includes a branched tube network for circulating a working fluid. The branched tube network is disposed in the channels of the fabric. The branched tube network includes a plurality of tubes wherein at least one end of each tube of the plurality of tubes is branched and connected to two daughter tubes, or more, the connection having a branch angle of between 1 and 359 degrees, inclusive. The tube network has at least two levels of branches.

Abstract: Described are fabrics and articles of manufacture. Also described are methods of making the fabrics. A fabric may exhibit directional liquid transport. The fabrics have a plurality of domains. A domain may connect a first side of the fabric and a second side of the fabric that is opposite the first side. The plurality of domains may have a gradient in concentration of hydrophobic and/or oleophobic groups. The fabrics may include nanoparticles. The fabrics may be made by exposing selected areas of a superhydrophobic and/or oleophobic fabric to an oxygen or air plasma.

Abstract: An embodiment of a robotic fabric has a first fabric layer and an actuator that is configured to have a first state and a second state. A property of the first fabric layer is different when the actuator is in the first state as compared to the property of the first fabric layer when the actuator is in the second state.

Abstract: A fabric having a base layer with an inside and a face side. The base layer may be hydrophobic and/or omniphobic. The fabric also has a hydrophilic transport layer, a portion of which passes through one or more ducts in the side of the base layer for absorbing liquids. The inner portion may have a shape configured to better absorb and move liquids. The liquids are transported to the face side of the base layer. A covering layer may be disposed on the face side of the base layer such that the outer portion of the transport layer is between the base and covering layers. In some embodiments, an innter layer is disposed on the inside of the base layer such that the inner portion of the transport layer is between the inner layer and the base layer.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a garment for regulating a temperature of a wearer is provided. The garment includes a fabric configured to be worn by the wearer. The fabric includes channels parallel to a primary surface of the fabric. The garment includes a branched tube network for circulating a working fluid. The branched tube network is disposed in the channels of the fabric. The branched tube network includes a plurality of tubes wherein at least one end of each tube of the plurality of tubes is branched and connected to two daughter tubes, or more, the connection having a branch angle of between 1 and 359 degrees, inclusive. The tube network has at least two levels of branches.