electrically powered clothing?

ELECTRICALLY HEATED CLOTHING CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS

The following article is reprinted from “Specialty Fabrics Review” published by the Industrial Fabrics Association International

Nanowire networks for uniform excellence

Soldiers stationed in the arctic know that it's a challenge to stay warm while

executing their duties in the frigid weather. Protective clothing is often

bulky and makes it difficult to maneuver, and wearers often become overheated

and sweaty. A group of scientists at the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research,

Development & Engineering Center is studying high—tech fabrics that heat up

and capture sweat when powered.

Yes soldiers that are assigned to bases in Alaska know very well about being cold and that is because they have been issued garments that just do not function at the task of keeping one’s body heat within the garments and allow one’s moisture to move away from their body’s. the end result is being cold.

I do not know who the scientists are at the Army testing labs are but I do know if they study “high—tech fabrics” they will NOT find one that can be powered up that will capture sweat. This is the first time I have ever read such nonsense. We the tax payers are supporting this research with our tax dollars just like we pay for products that don’t work that incorporate goretex in them.

The work was inspired by research at Stanford University that synthesized very

fine silver nanowires and placed a network of the wires on cotton. The fabric was

warmed when power was applied to the nanowires, The army scientists are looking

at ways to make this research suitable for military uniforms, such as polyester and

cotton/nylon blends. They discovered that applying three volts to one-inch by one—

inch test swatches of these fabrics raised the temperature by 100' F in just one minute.

Ultimately, soldiers could dial the voltage up or down to vary the amount of heat

their uniforms produce to match weather conditions.

It is apparent to me at least that the researchers at Stanford University have zero knowledge of what it takes to make a garment that will keep one warm. Cotton has a history known by millions of people who actually venture into the outdoors can be a killer material because of its penchant for absorbing moisture. If these very intelligent Stanford researchers actually ventured out into the great outdoors they would have known that.

Imagine powering up ONE SQUARE INCH of fabric and raising the temperature by 100 degrees; incredible! The dial in my opinion would be the dial of death.

All the Stanford researches are interested in is the research mone they probably get as a grant. Why grant them any monies until the actually develop something that they can show works, but that is not how the grant system works.

To control dampness, researchers also incorporated a layer of sweat—absorbing

hydrogel particles made of polyethylene glycol or poly(Naisopropylacrylamide),

which are thought to stop other layers in the fabrics from getting wet.

Hydrogel particles are THOUGHT to control dampness, which means they do not know if it will; just a clue from me you cannot control dampness any more than you can control sweating, it is an involuntary action. The hydrogel particles I believe are so small you need a microscope to see them. Is it getting deep for you yet?

The silver nanowires stand up to laundering, and the researchers are looking at

how best to apply the hydrogel so it is equally durable. The team is also looking at

how the silver mesh and hydrogel interact with each other.

What we have here is a gross waste of tax payer’s money.

Have you ever heard the expression “can’t see the forest because of the trees”?Well the answer to what is required by the soldiers that will keep them warm and dry as well as allow them the greatest mobility already exists and has for 30 years demonstrated over and over again to perform in arctic conditions, and that product is continuous filament fiber otherwise known as Lamilite/Climashield.

All who chose to venture into the arctic regions of the world that are the most comfortable because they stay warm regardless of the temperatures and have no concerns about the moisture they are producing are wearing Wiggy’s clothing and using Wiggy’s sleeping bags.

As a tax payer I get tired of reading about researchers who have the next best thing to sliced white bread, but never walk the walk but love to talk the talk. It boils down to one thing and one thing only; the grant money and as for the government employee if the problem is not solved it means job security.

Electrically heated clothing have been tried before and never has worked, trying to use it in the arctic in my opinion is extremely dangerous.