Scientists have developed a sportswear that "breathing"

Scientists from MIT add live Bacillus natto cells to apparel fabrics based on the response of Bacillus natto to moisture and temperature, which can "smartly" flap the back against the wearer's sweat and heat. "On" and "Off". The study was recently published in Science Advances.

The researchers set up the bacterial cell layer inside the latex by printing, and the layer that touches the skin underneath is a supporting frame structure that allows the inner cell layer to sense the temperature and humidity of the skin. The bio-composite latex-cell material is made into the flaps of the garment, and the flaps are designed according to the sweat and heat distribution of the human body, and have different sizes and are scattered on the back of the garment.

Inside this garment, live bacillus bacilli cells perform the dual functions of sensors and actuators, which do not require any external force to sense the surrounding humidity and heat, thereby affecting the alignment and contraction of the bacterial layer. When the wearer wears sweat, the shrinkage of the bacillus can drive the flaps open, allowing the sweat to evaporate well; when the body cools, it will drive the closure of the flaps. Five minutes after the tester put on the clothing movement, the flaps began to open outwards, just like the real skin has a "smart" pore opening.

The researchers did not significantly reduce the overall performance of the fabric and bacterial cell layers after 100 open/close tests were performed on human conditions.

The researchers also designed a prototype of an ventilated running shoe based on this. In the sole where the shoe is in contact with the sole of the foot, the researchers set up a number of flaps that can be bent downward.

In fact, these microorganisms are safe and can be scaled up based on current genetic engineering methods.