During summer, cars parked under direct sunlight — or even just driving in it — require significant energy to the air conditioning system to reach a comfortable cabin temperature. This leads to increased fuel consumption, higher costs, and more pollution. In winter, heating the cabin also takes time, often requiring several minutes to reach comfort levels. To avoid excessive strain on the battery and to extend its lifespan, improving energy efficiency is essential.
One promising new solution for managing seat temperature and enhancing thermal comfort is the use of microcapsules containing phase-change materials (PCMs). These are textiles which store and release thermal energy during phase transitions (solid ↔ liquid) at a nearly constant temperature.
They are used for thermal energy storage to regulate temperature fluctuations without consuming power, so as to maintain a stable body temperature, and they can be either used to heat or to cool. They are available as fibers, yarns, or fabric, and can be easily integrated into clothing, bedding and automotive seat textiles.
Outlast, a specialist in proactive heat management for textile materials, is based in Heidenheim, Germany. They use a technology originally developed by NASA, which make use of natural wax, that liquefies under the influence of heat and solidifies when it gets cold. It goes through a phase change from solid to liquid or liquid to solid.
Microencapsulated natural wax can be applied to almost any textile material, using procedures developed by Outlast. These capsules can capture and store body heat, forming a natural heat buffer. And if the body temperature falls again, for example with freezing temperatures in the car, the wax in the temperature regulating material clothing releases the stored heat again. Despite fluctuating external temperatures, the user can thus always enjoy a balanced climate.
A further development of the Outlast temperature regulation technology is the supplier’s Xelerate and Fresh2Skin products. In Xelerate, the wax used in the materials is abetted by heat-spreaders, which enlarge the area of heat absorption, allowing the material to absorb thermal energy faster and more effectively.
And Fresh2Skin uses menthol: cold receptors in the skin react to it, and the Outlast temperature regulation provides temperature and moisture management. More comfort and less sweating during long rides!
