Classifications

• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D02—YARNS; MECHANICAL FINISHING OF YARNS OR ROPES; WARPING OR BEAMING
  • D02G—CRIMPING OR CURLING FIBRES, FILAMENTS, THREADS, OR YARNS; YARNS OR THREADS
  • D02G3/00—Yarns or threads, e.g. fancy yarns; Processes or apparatus for the production thereof, not otherwise provided for
  • D02G3/22—Yarns or threads characterised by constructional features, e.g. blending, filament/fibre
  • D02G3/36—Cored or coated yarns or threads
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A41—WEARING APPAREL
  • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
  • A41D31/00—Materials specially adapted for outerwear
  • A41D31/04—Materials specially adapted for outerwear characterised by special function or use
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D01—NATURAL OR MAN-MADE THREADS OR FIBRES; SPINNING
  • D01D—MECHANICAL METHODS OR APPARATUS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, THREADS, FIBRES, BRISTLES OR RIBBONS
  • D01D5/00—Formation of filaments, threads, or the like
  • D01D5/24—Formation of filaments, threads, or the like with a hollow structure; Spinnerette packs therefor
  • D01D5/247—Discontinuous hollow structure or microporous structure
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D01—NATURAL OR MAN-MADE THREADS OR FIBRES; SPINNING
  • D01F—CHEMICAL FEATURES IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, THREADS, FIBRES, BRISTLES OR RIBBONS; APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CARBON FILAMENTS
  • D01F1/00—General methods for the manufacture of artificial filaments or the like
  • D01F1/02—Addition of substances to the spinning solution or to the melt
  • D01F1/10—Other agents for modifying properties
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D01—NATURAL OR MAN-MADE THREADS OR FIBRES; SPINNING
  • D01F—CHEMICAL FEATURES IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, THREADS, FIBRES, BRISTLES OR RIBBONS; APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CARBON FILAMENTS
  • D01F6/00—Monocomponent artificial filaments or the like of synthetic polymers; Manufacture thereof
  • D01F6/02—Monocomponent artificial filaments or the like of synthetic polymers; Manufacture thereof from homopolymers obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
  • D01F6/04—Monocomponent artificial filaments or the like of synthetic polymers; Manufacture thereof from homopolymers obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds from polyolefins
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D01—NATURAL OR MAN-MADE THREADS OR FIBRES; SPINNING
  • D01F—CHEMICAL FEATURES IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, THREADS, FIBRES, BRISTLES OR RIBBONS; APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CARBON FILAMENTS
  • D01F6/00—Monocomponent artificial filaments or the like of synthetic polymers; Manufacture thereof
  • D01F6/02—Monocomponent artificial filaments or the like of synthetic polymers; Manufacture thereof from homopolymers obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
  • D01F6/04—Monocomponent artificial filaments or the like of synthetic polymers; Manufacture thereof from homopolymers obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds from polyolefins
  • D01F6/06—Monocomponent artificial filaments or the like of synthetic polymers; Manufacture thereof from homopolymers obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds from polyolefins from polypropylene
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D01—NATURAL OR MAN-MADE THREADS OR FIBRES; SPINNING
  • D01F—CHEMICAL FEATURES IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, THREADS, FIBRES, BRISTLES OR RIBBONS; APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CARBON FILAMENTS
  • D01F6/00—Monocomponent artificial filaments or the like of synthetic polymers; Manufacture thereof
  • D01F6/44—Monocomponent artificial filaments or the like of synthetic polymers; Manufacture thereof from mixtures of polymers obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds as major constituent with other polymers or low-molecular-weight compounds
  • D01F6/46—Monocomponent artificial filaments or the like of synthetic polymers; Manufacture thereof from mixtures of polymers obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds as major constituent with other polymers or low-molecular-weight compounds of polyolefins
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D01—NATURAL OR MAN-MADE THREADS OR FIBRES; SPINNING
  • D01F—CHEMICAL FEATURES IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, THREADS, FIBRES, BRISTLES OR RIBBONS; APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CARBON FILAMENTS
  • D01F8/00—Conjugated, i.e. bi- or multicomponent, artificial filaments or the like; Manufacture thereof
  • D01F8/04—Conjugated, i.e. bi- or multicomponent, artificial filaments or the like; Manufacture thereof from synthetic polymers
  • D01F8/06—Conjugated, i.e. bi- or multicomponent, artificial filaments or the like; Manufacture thereof from synthetic polymers with at least one polyolefin as constituent
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D02—YARNS; MECHANICAL FINISHING OF YARNS OR ROPES; WARPING OR BEAMING
  • D02G—CRIMPING OR CURLING FIBRES, FILAMENTS, THREADS, OR YARNS; YARNS OR THREADS
  • D02G3/00—Yarns or threads, e.g. fancy yarns; Processes or apparatus for the production thereof, not otherwise provided for
  • D02G3/02—Yarns or threads characterised by the material or by the materials from which they are made
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D03—WEAVING
  • D03D—WOVEN FABRICS; METHODS OF WEAVING; LOOMS
  • D03D1/00—Woven fabrics designed to make specified articles
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D03—WEAVING
  • D03D—WOVEN FABRICS; METHODS OF WEAVING; LOOMS
  • D03D15/00—Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used
  • D03D15/20—Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used characterised by the material of the fibres or filaments constituting the yarns or threads
  • D03D15/283—Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used characterised by the material of the fibres or filaments constituting the yarns or threads synthetic polymer-based, e.g. polyamide or polyester fibres
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A41—WEARING APPAREL
  • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
  • A41D2500/00—Materials for garments
  • A41D2500/20—Woven
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A41—WEARING APPAREL
  • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
  • A41D2500/00—Materials for garments
  • A41D2500/50—Synthetic resins or rubbers
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D10—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
  • D10B—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
  • D10B2321/00—Fibres made from polymers obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
  • D10B2321/02—Fibres made from polymers obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds polyolefins
  • D10B2321/021—Fibres made from polymers obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds polyolefins polyethylene
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D10—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
  • D10B—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
  • D10B2321/00—Fibres made from polymers obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
  • D10B2321/02—Fibres made from polymers obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds polyolefins
  • D10B2321/022—Fibres made from polymers obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds polyolefins polypropylene
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D10—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
  • D10B—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
  • D10B2401/00—Physical properties
  • D10B2401/04—Heat-responsive characteristics
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D10—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
  • D10B—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
  • D10B2401/00—Physical properties
  • D10B2401/20—Physical properties optical
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D10—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
  • D10B—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
  • D10B2501/00—Wearing apparel
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D10—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
  • D10B—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
  • D10B2501/00—Wearing apparel
  • D10B2501/04—Outerwear; Protective garments

Definitions

• HVAC Indoor heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
• IR infrared
• a fiber includes an elongated member and refractive index contrast domains dispersed within the elongated member.
• the elongated member includes at least one polymer having a transmittance of infrared radiation at a wavelength of 9.5 ⁇ of at least about 40%.
• the elongated member includes at least one polyolefin. [0007] In some embodiments of the fiber, the elongated member includes at least one of polyethylene or polypropylene.
• the elongated member includes a blend of polyethylene and polypropylene, and a weight percentage of polypropylene relative to a combined weight of polyethylene and polypropylene is in a range of about 1% to about 50%. In some embodiments of the fiber, the elongated member includes a blend of polyethylene and polypropylene, and a weight percentage of polyethylene relative to a combined weight of polyethylene and polypropylene is in a range of about 1% to about 50%.
• the refractive index contrast domains are pores.
• the pores have an average pore size in a range of about 50 nm to about 1000 nm.
• a volume percentage of the pores within the elongated member is at least about 10%.
• the refractive index contrast domains are particulate fillers.
• the fillers have an average particle size in a range of about 50 nm to about 1000 nm.
• a volume percentage of the fillers within the elongated member is at least about 10%.
• the fillers include an inorganic material.
• a difference in refractive index between the refractive index contrast domains and the elongated member is at least about ⁇ 1% with respect to a refractive index of the elongated member.
• the elongated member is a first elongated member, and further comprising a second elongated member combined with the first elongated member to form a body of the fiber.
• a woven textile includes the fiber of any one of the foregoing embodiments.
• the woven textile has a transmittance of infrared radiation at a wavelength of 9.5 ⁇ of at least about 40%.
• the woven textile has an opacity to visible light over a wavelength range of 400-700 nm of at least about 40%.
• a cloth includes at least one layer including a woven textile including the fiber of any one of the foregoing embodiments.
• a method of regulating a temperature of a human body includes placing a woven textile adjacent to the human body, wherein the woven textile includes the fiber of any one of the foregoing embodiments.
• a method of forming a porous polymer fiber is provided. The method includes forming a mixture of a solvent and at least one polymer, extruding the mixture to form a polymer fiber including the solvent dispersed within the polymer fiber, and extracting the solvent from the polymer fiber to form the porous polymer fiber.
• a volume percentage of the solvent in the mixture is at least about 10%.
• the mixture includes at least one polyolefin.
• the mixture includes at least one of polyethylene or polypropylene.
• the mixture includes polyethylene and polypropylene.
• Figure 1 Schematics showing a traditional textile and an IR-transparent textile.
• Figure 2 Schematic showing a perspective, cross-sectional view of a polymer fiber.
• Figure 3 Schematic showing a cross-sectional view of a polymer fiber.
• Figure 4 Schematic showing a cross-sectional view of a polymer fiber.
• Figure 5 Schematic showing a cross-sectional view of a polymer fiber.
• Figure 7 Schematic diagram of an extrusion device for forming nanoporous PE fibers.
• Figure 8 Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of nanoporous PE fibers, at various levels of magnification.
• Figure 9(a) Process flow for forming a woven textile from nanoporous PE fibers.
• Figure 10(a) Process flow for forming a woven textile from nanoporous PE fibers.
• Figure 10(b) Image of a resulting textile.
• FIG. 12 Transmittance/reflectance of a textile (about 10% of polypropylene (PP)) on the left compared with transmittance/reflectance of a textile formed from a single-fiber yarn of nanoporous PE fibers (0% of PP) on the right.
• PP polypropylene
• Some embodiments of this disclosure are directed to an IR-transparent, polymer fiber-based woven textile for wearers to reduce indoor HVAC usage, while providing comfort and breathability.
• the IR-transparent textile increases IR radiation dissipation of a human body. As the result, a cooling effect is achieved and less HVAC energy can be consumed to maintain a comfortable body temperature.
• the IR- transparent textile is a woven textile, which ensures its comfort and breathability, and renders it desirable for use as a next-to-skin textile in an article of clothing.
• an IR-transparent textile of some embodiments has a low absorption of IR radiation emitted by a human body, so the IR radiation can be transmitted freely into an environment and result in a wearer feeling cooler.
• polymer fibers included in the textile are provided with refractive index contrast domains dispersed within the fibers, which serve to scatter visible light and render the textile opaque to visible light.
• the refractive index contrast domains are pores, which are sized to primarily scatter visible light rather than IR radiation. These pores can be interconnected, and can render the textile breathable and increase heat dissipation via conduction and convection.
• fiber-based woven structure provides comfort for a human body, and allows the textile to be used as a next-to-skin textile.
• Polymer fibers provided with pores (or other refractive index contrast domains) can be formed at a large scale by a process such as extrusion and solvent extraction, and woven textiles can be formed from such fibers at a large scale by a process such as weaving.
• the result is an IR-transparent and visibly opaque polymer fiber-based woven textile, which maintains comfort when used as a next-to-skin textile and also can be realized at a large scale.
• a traditional textile mainly focuses on improving convection or conduction heat dissipation to achieve a cooling effect, but there is little control for radiation heat dissipation.
• the human body can emit about 7-14 ⁇ mid-IR radiation with a peak at about 9.5 ⁇ .
• the traditional textile has a high absorption of IR radiation emitted by the human body, so the IR radiation is largely blocked from being transmitted into an environment.
• an IR- transparent textile has a low absorption of IR radiation emitted by the human body, so the IR radiation can be transmitted largely unblocked into the environment and thereby can achieve a greater cooling effect.
• the provision of refractive index contrast domains within polymer fibers of the IR-transparent textile serves to scatter visible light and render the textile visibly opaque but still IR-transparent.
• a fiber-based woven structure of the IR- transparent textile provides comfort as well as benefits such as washability and greater strength and durability.
• Figure 2 is a schematic showing a perspective, cross-sectional view of a polymer fiber 200 according to some embodiments of this disclosure.
• the fiber 200 includes an elongated member 202 and refractive index contrast domains 204 dispersed within the elongated member 202.
• the elongated member 202 includes a single polymer or a blend of two or more different polymers.
• a polymer or a blend of polymers having a low absorption of IR radiation can be used.
• suitable polymers include polyolefins, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and other thermoplastic polyolefins or polyolefin elastomers.
• PE polyethylene
• PP polypropylene
• suitable molecular weights can range from low density PE (LDPE), high density PE (HDPE), and ultra-high molecular weight PE (UHMWPE).
• PE can be blended or at least partially replaced with other polymers, such as PP, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), vinylon, polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polyamide (e.g., nylon), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester, polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), copolymers, other thermoplastic polymers, natural polymers, and so forth.
• PVC polyvinyl chloride
• PAN polyacrylonitrile
• PET polyamide
• PET polyethylene terephthalate
• PVF polyvinyl fluoride
• copolymers other thermoplastic polymers, natural polymers, and so forth.
• a blend of PE and PP (or more generally a blend of two or more different polyolefins) can be used to impart improved mechanical strength while maintaining IR transparency, such as where a weight percentage of PP relative to a combined weight of PE and PP is in a range of about 1% to about 60%, about 1% to about 50%, about 5% to about 45%, about 5% to about 40%, about 5% to about 35%, about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 25%, about 5% to about 20%), or about 10%>.
• suitable polymers have a transmittance of IR radiation at a wavelength of 9.5 ⁇ of at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%), or at least about 80%>, and up to about 90%, up to about 95%, up to about 98%, or more.
• suitable polymers have a weighted average transmittance of IR radiation over a wavelength range of 7-14 ⁇ of at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, or at least about 80%, and up to about 90%), up to about 95%, or more.
• one or more additives can be included, such as anti-oxidants, anti-microbials, colorants or dyes, water wi eking agents (e.g., cotton), metals, wood, silk, wool, and so forth.
• the one or more additives can be dispersed within a polymer or a blend of polymers included in the elongated member 202.
• the refractive index contrast domains 204 provide a contrast in refractive index relative to the polymer or the blend of polymers included in the elongated member 202 to scatter visible light and render the fiber 200 (and a resulting woven textile) visibly opaque.
• a relative difference in refractive index between the domains 204 and the elongated member 202 is at least about ⁇ 1% with respect to a refractive index of the polymer or the blend of polymers included in the elongated member 202 (e.g., for visible light measured at 589 nm), such as at least about ⁇ 5%, at least about ⁇ 8%, at least about ⁇ 10%, at least about ⁇ 15%, at least about ⁇ 20%, at least about ⁇ 25%, at least about ⁇ 30%, at least about ⁇ 35%), at least about ⁇ 40%, at least about ⁇ 45%, or at least about ⁇ 50%.
• an absolute difference in refractive index between the domains 204 and the elongated member 202 is at least about ⁇ 0.01 with respect to the refractive index of the polymer or the blend of polymers included in the elongated member 202 (e.g., for visible light measured at 589 nm), such as at least about ⁇ 0.05, at least about ⁇ 0.1, at least about ⁇ 0.15, at least about ⁇ 0.2, at least about ⁇ 0.25, at least about ⁇ 0.3, at least about ⁇ 0.35, at least about ⁇ 0.4, at least about ⁇ 0.45, at least about ⁇ 0.5, or at least about ⁇ 0.55.
• a refractive index of the domains 204 can be higher or lower than the refractive index of the polymer or the blend of polymers included in the elongated member 202.
• the refractive index contrast domains 204 are pores, which provide a contrast in refractive index due to, for example, the presence of air contained within the pores.
• the pores are sized to primarily scatter visible light instead of IR radiation.
• the pores can be nano-sized (e.g., as nanopores) so as to be comparable to wavelengths of visible light and below wavelengths of IR radiation, or below wavelengths of mid-IR radiation.
• the pores have an average pore size in a range of about 50 nm to about 1000 nm, about 50 nm to about 900 nm, about 50 nm to about 800 nm, about 50 nm to about 700 nm, about 50 nm to about 600 nm, about 50 nm to about 500 nm, about 50 nm to about 400 nm, about 100 nm to about 400 nm, or about 500 nm and about 1000 nm, although larger pores having an average pore size up to about 2 ⁇ or up to about 3 ⁇ are also contemplated.
• a distribution of pore sizes can be controlled to impart a desired coloration to the fiber 200 (and a resulting woven textile).
• the pores can be relatively uniform in size, such as where a standard deviation of pore sizes is no greater than about 50%, no greater than about 45%, no greater than about 40%), no greater than about 35%, no greater than about 30%, no greater than about 25%, or no greater than about 20% of a mean pore size.
• a pore size can be determined using, for example, the B arret- Joyner-Halenda model.
• a volume percentage of the pores within the elongated member 202 is at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%), at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, or at least about 40%, and up to about 60%, up to about 70%, or more.
• the pores can be interconnected to increase air permeability and increase conduction and convection heat dissipation through the interconnected pores.
• the pores can be regularly or irregularly shaped, and can have aspect ratios of about 3 or less, or greater than about 3.
• the refractive index contrast domains 204 are particulate fillers, which provide a contrast in refractive index due to a material of the fillers.
• suitable materials of the fillers include inorganic materials that have a low absorption of IR radiation, such as metalloids (e.g., silicon and germanium), metal oxides, metalloid oxides (e.g., silicon oxide), metal halides, and so forth. Polymers and other organic materials that have a low absorption of IR radiation and can provide a suitable contrast in refractive index also can be used for the fillers.
• suitable materials for the fillers have a transmittance of IR radiation at a wavelength of 9.5 ⁇ of at least about 30%, at least about 40%), at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, or at least about 80%, and up to about 90%), up to about 95%, up to about 98%, or more.
• suitable materials for the fillers have a weighted average transmittance of IR radiation over a wavelength range of 7-14 ⁇ of at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, or at least about 80%, and up to about 90%, up to about 95%), or more.
• the fillers are sized to primarily scatter visible light instead of IR radiation.
• the fillers can be nano-sized (e.g., as nanoparticles) so as to be comparable to wavelengths of visible light and below wavelengths of IR radiation, or below wavelengths of mid-IR radiation.
• the fillers have an average particle size in a range of about 50 nm to about 1000 nm, about 50 nm to about 900 nm, about 50 nm to about 800 nm, about 50 nm to about 700 nm, about 50 nm to about 600 nm, about 50 nm to about 500 nm, about 50 nm to about 400 nm, about 100 nm to about 400 nm, or about 500 nm and about 1000 nm, although larger fillers having an average particle size up to about 2 ⁇ or up to about 3 ⁇ or up to about 5 ⁇ are also contemplated.
• a distribution of particle sizes can be controlled to impart a desired coloration to the fiber 200 (and a resulting woven textile).
• the fillers can be relatively uniform in size, such as where a standard deviation of particle sizes is no greater than about 50%, no greater than about 45%o, no greater than about 40%, no greater than about 35%, no greater than about 30%), no greater than about 25%, or no greater than about 20% of a mean particle size.
• a volume percentage of the fillers within the elongated member 202 is at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%), at least about 35%, or at least about 40%, and up to about 60%, up to about 70%, or more.
• the fillers can be regularly or irregularly shaped, and can have aspect ratios of about 3 or less, or greater than about 3.
• a lateral dimension (e.g., a diameter) of the fiber 200 is about 5 ⁇ or greater, about 10 ⁇ or greater, or about 20 ⁇ or greater, and up to about 150 ⁇ , up to about 200 ⁇ , up to about 300 ⁇ , or more. Larger dimensioned fibers can impart greater strength and greater ease of forming the fibers, such as during an extrusion process, while smaller dimensioned fibers can impart greater comfort to a human body.
• Figure 2 illustrates the fiber 200 with a circular cross-sectional shape
• fibers with a variety of other regular or irregular cross-sectional shapes are contemplated, such as multi-lobal, octagonal, oval, pentagonal, rectangular, square-shaped, trapezoidal, triangular, wedge-shaped, and so forth.
• a surface of the fiber 200 can be chemically or physically modified to impart additional properties, such as hydrophilicity, anti-microbial property, coloration, texturing, and so forth.
• a coating can be applied over the surface of the fiber 200 to impart hydrophilicity, such as a coating of polydopamine (PDA) as a hydrophilic agent.
• PDA polydopamine
• a polymer fiber includes multiple (e.g., two or more) elongated members that are joined or otherwise combined to form an unitary body of the fiber. At least one of the elongated members includes refractive index contrast domains dispersed therein, and the elongated members can include the same polymer (or the same blend of polymers) or different polymers (or different blends of polymers). The elongated members can be arranged in a variety of configurations.
• the elongated members can be arranged in a core- sheath configuration, an island-in-sea configuration, a matrix or checkerboard configuration, a segmented-pie configuration, a side-by-side configuration, a striped configuration, and so forth.
• Further embodiments of a polymer fiber can be realized so as to have a hollow structure, a block structure, a grafted structure, and so forth.
• Figure 3 is a schematic showing a cross-sectional view of a polymer fiber 300 according to some embodiments of this disclosure.
• the fiber 300 includes multiple elongated members arranged in a core-sheath configuration, including a first elongated member 302 (shown shaded in Figure 3) forming a core of the fiber 300, and a second elongated member 304 (shown unshaded in Figure 3) forming a sheath of the fiber 300 and surrounding the core.
• the first elongated member 302 can include refractive index contrast domains dispersed therein, while the second elongated member 304 can be substantially devoid of refractive index contrast domains, or vice versa.
• refractive index contrast domains can be dispersed within both elongated members 302 and 304.
• the elongated members 302 and 304 can include the same polymer (or the same blend of polymers) or different polymers (or different blends of polymers). While Figure 3 illustrates the fiber 300 with a circular cross-sectional shape, other regular or irregular cross-sectional shapes are contemplated, such as multi-lobal, octagonal, oval, pentagonal, rectangular, square-shaped, trapezoidal, triangular, wedge-shaped, and so forth.
• a surface of the fiber 300 can be chemically or physically modified to impart additional properties, such as a coating to impart hydrophilicity, anti-microbial property, coloration, texturing, and so forth.
• FIG 4 is a schematic showing a cross-sectional view of a polymer fiber 400 according to some embodiments of this disclosure.
• the fiber 400 includes multiple elongated members arranged in a core-sheath configuration, including a first elongated member 402 (shown shaded in Figure 4) forming a core of the fiber 400, a second elongated member 404 (shown dotted in Figure 4) forming an intermediate sheath of the fiber 400 and surrounding the core, and a third elongated member 406 (shown unshaded in Figure 4) forming an outer sheath of the fiber 400 and surrounding the intermediate sheath.
• At least one of the elongated members 402, 404, and 406 includes refractive index contrast domains dispersed therein, while at least another of the elongated members 402, 404, and 406 is substantially devoid of refractive index contrast domains. It is also contemplated that refractive index contrast domains can be dispersed within each of the elongated members 402, 404, and 406.
• the elongated members 402, 404, and 406 can include the same polymer (or the same blend of polymers) or different polymers (or different blends of polymers).
• Figure 4 illustrates the fiber 400 with a circular cross-sectional shape
• other regular or irregular cross-sectional shapes are contemplated, such as multi-lobal, octagonal, oval, pentagonal, rectangular, square-shaped, trapezoidal, triangular, wedge-shaped, and so forth.
• a surface of the fiber 400 can be chemically or physically modified to impart additional properties, such as a coating to impart hydrophilicity, anti-microbial property, coloration, texturing, and so forth.
• FIG 5 is a schematic showing a cross-sectional view of a polymer fiber 500 according to some embodiments of this disclosure.
• the fiber 500 includes multiple elongated members arranged in an island-in-sea configuration, including a first set of elongated members 502 (shown shaded in Figure 5) and a second elongated member 504 (shown unshaded in Figure 5).
• the first set of elongated members 502 are positioned within and surrounded by the second elongated member 504, thereby forming "islands" within a "sea” of the second elongated member 504.
• the first set of elongated members 502 can include refractive index contrast domains dispersed therein, while the second elongated member 504 can be substantially devoid of refractive index contrast domains, or vice versa. It is also contemplated that refractive index contrast domains can be dispersed within each of the elongated members 502 and 504.
• the elongated members 502 and 504 can include the same polymer (or the same blend of polymers) or different polymers (or different blends of polymers).
• the elongated members 502 have an average cross- sectional dimension (e.g., a diameter) of up to about 0.5 ⁇ , or up to about 1 ⁇ , or up to about 2 ⁇ , or up to about 3 ⁇ , or up to about 5 ⁇ , although larger elongated members having an average cross-sectional dimension up to about 10 ⁇ are also contemplated.
• Figure 5 illustrates the fiber 500 with a circular cross-sectional shape, other regular or irregular cross-sectional shapes are contemplated, such as multi-lobal, octagonal, oval, pentagonal, rectangular, square-shaped, trapezoidal, triangular, wedge-shaped, and so forth.
• a surface of the fiber 500 can be chemically or physically modified to impart additional properties, such as a coating to impart hydrophilicity, anti-microbial property, coloration, texturing, and so forth.
• a nanoporous polymer fiber is formed by a process of extrusion and solvent extraction.
• a polymer or a blend of polymers can be dissolved in a solvent, such as paraffin oil, to form a mixture.
• a volume percentage of the solvent in the mixture can be selected to obtain a desired volume percentage of pores within a resulting fiber after solvent extraction, such as at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%), at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, or at least about 40%, and up to about 60%, up to about 70%, or more.
• a solvent such as paraffin oil
• other suitable liquid solvents or solids can be used, such as solid wax, mineral oil, and so forth.
• one or more additives can be included in the mixture, such as water wicking agents, colorants, and so forth.
• the mixture can then be extruded through an extrusion device (e.g., a spinneret or a syringe) to form polymer fibers including the solvent dispersed in the fibers, and the solvent is extracted from the fibers, leaving nanopores in the polymer fibers.
• Extraction of the solvent can be performed by immersion in a chemical bath of an extraction agent, such as methylene chloride, although other manners of extraction are contemplated, such as evaporation.
• a polymer fiber including particulate fillers is formed by a process of extrusion.
• a polymer or a blend of polymers can be combined with particulate fillers to form a mixture.
• a volume percentage of the fillers in the mixture can be selected to obtain a desired volume percentage of the fillers within a resulting fiber, such as at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%), at least about 35%, or at least about 40%, and up to about 60%, up to about 70%, or more.
• the polymer or the blend of polymers can be combined with the fillers in a molten state or a dissolved state.
• one or more additives can be included in the mixture, such as water wicking agents, colorants, and so forth.
• the mixture can then be extruded through an extrusion device (e.g., a spinneret or a syringe) to form polymer fibers including the fillers dispersed in the fibers.
• an extrusion device e.g., a spinneret or a syringe
• polymers fibers of some embodiments are subjected to spinning, twisting, winding, or braiding to form a yarn.
• a resulting yarn includes multiple (e.g., two or more) fibers that are twisted or otherwise combined, and the fibers can be the same or different.
• at least one fiber in a yarn is a polymer fiber including refractive index contrast domains.
• the yarn can include two or more twisted nanoporous polymer fibers, or two or more twisted polymers fibers including particulate fillers, or a nanoporous polymer fiber twisted with a polymer fiber including particulate fillers.
• the yarn can include a polymer fiber including refractive index contrast domains twisted with another fiber, such as another polymer fiber substantially devoid of refractive index contrast domains (e.g., a fiber formed of a thermoplastic polymer or a natural polymer), or a metallic fiber.
• An adhesive can be used during a process of forming a yarn to durably secure fibers together.
• a resulting yarn is used to form a woven textile of some embodiments.
• polymers fibers are directly used to form a woven textile, without undergoing a process of spinning, twisting, winding, or braiding to form a multi-fiber yarn.
• a variety of processes can be used to form a woven textile from polymers fibers of some embodiments, either as individual fibers or as included in a multi-fiber yarn. Examples include weaving, knitting, felting, braiding, plaiting, and so forth. Depending on a process used, a variety of woven structures can be attained, including weaving patterns such as plain, basket, twill, satin, herringbone, and houndstooth, and knitting patterns such as Jersey, Rib, Purl, Interlock, Tricot, and Raschel. Polymer fibers of some embodiments can be subjected to weaving in combination with other fibers (e.g., other fibers formed of a thermoplastic polymer or a natural polymer) to form a woven textile.
• other fibers e.g., other fibers formed of a thermoplastic polymer or a natural polymer
• a resulting IR-transparent woven textile of some embodiments can exhibit various benefits.
• the textile has a transmittance of IR radiation at a wavelength of 9.5 ⁇ of at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, or at least about 80%, and up to about 90%, up to about 95%, up to about 98%), or more.
• the textile has a weighted average transmittance of IR radiation over a wavelength range of 7-14 ⁇ of at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, or at least about 80%, and up to about 90%), up to about 95%, or more.
• the textile has an opacity (expressed as a percentage as [100 - transmittance]) to visible light over a wavelength range of 400-700 nm of at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%), at least about 70%, or at least about 80%, and up to about 90%, up to about 95%, up to about 99%), or more.
• opacity expressed as a percentage as [100 - transmittance]
• the textile has a water vapor transmission rate of at least about 0.005 g/cm 2 hr, at least about 0.008 g/cm 2 hr, at least about 0.01 g/cm 2 hr, at least about 0.012 g/cm 2 hr, at least about 0.014 g/cm 2 hr, or least about 0.016 g/cm 2 hr, and up to about 0.02 g/cm 2 hr or more.
• the textile has an air permeability of at least about 10 cm 3 /sec cm 2 Pa, at least about 20 cm 3 /sec cm 2 Pa, at least about 30
• the textile has a tensile strength of at least about 10 N, at least about 20 N, at least about 30 N, or at least about 40 N, and up to about 60 N or more.
• An IR-transparent woven textile of some embodiments can be incorporated into a cloth, either as a single layer in a single-layered cloth, or among multiple (e.g., two or more) layers of a multi-layered cloth.
• an IR-transparent woven textile can be laminated or otherwise combined with one or more additional layers, such as one or more layers of other textile materials (e.g., cotton or polyester).
• a resulting cloth can be used in a variety of articles of clothing, such as apparel and footwear, as well as other products, such as medical products.
• Figure 6 is a process flow for forming nanoporous polyethylene (PE) fibers.
• PE is dissolved in paraffin oil under heating and agitation and then cooled to form a (solid) mixture of PE and paraffin oil.
• a weight-to-volume ratio of PE and paraffin oil is about 1 g to 3.5 mL, although other ratios can be used, such as from about 1 g to 0.5 mL to about 1 g to 10 mL or from about 1 g to 2 mL to about 1 g to 4.5 mL.
• the mixture of PE and paraffin oil is then extruded under heating to form PE fibers including paraffin oil dispersed in the fibers, and paraffin oil is extracted from the PE fibers by immersion in methylene chloride, leaving nanopores in the PE fibers and forming nanoporous PE fibers.
• FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an extrusion device for forming nanoporous PE fibers.
• a mixture of PE and paraffin oil is loaded inside a syringe, and the mixture is subjected to heating under control by a temperature controller through a heating tape and a thermocouple.
• a syringe pump compresses the mixture inside the syringe such that a PE fiber including paraffin oil is extruded from a tip of the syringe.
• the PE fiber is collected by a roller under control by a controller.
• Figure 8 are scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of nanoporous PE fibers, at various levels of magnification. As shown in Figure 8, the fibers have interconnected nanopores. The nanopores can provide improved air and water vapor permeability, in addition to opacity towards visible light.
• SEM scanning electron microscope
• Nanoporous PE fibers can be spun into yarns and then woven into textiles.
• Figure 9(a) is a process flow for forming a woven textile from nanoporous PE fibers.
• Figure 9(b) is an image of a resulting textile, and
• Figure 9(c) shows transmittance/reflectance of the textile over a range of wavelengths.
• the human body can emit about 7-14 ⁇ mid-IR radiation with a peak at about 9.5 ⁇ .
• the textile has a relatively high transmittance of IR radiation (including over 7-14 ⁇ ), and its relatively narrow absorption peaks are away from the peak of human body radiation.
• Figure 10(a) is a process flow for forming a woven textile from nanoporous PE fibers. Instead of using a multi-fiber yarn, resulting nanoporous PE fibers, as a single-fiber yarn, are directly woven into a textile.
• Figure 10(b) is an image of a resulting textile, and Figure 10(c) shows transmittance/reflectance of the textile over a range of wavelengths.
• the textile has a higher transmittance of IR radiation (including over 7-14 ⁇ ) compared with a textile woven from a multi-fiber yarn, and its relatively narrow absorption peaks are away from the peak of human body radiation. No noticeable scattering of IR radiation is observed to result from gaps among fibers in the textile, and a thickness of the textile also can be reduced compared with the use of multi-fiber yarns.
• a combination of different polymers can be subjected to a similar process flow as shown in Figure 6 for forming nanoporous fibers of a blend of the polymers.
• a combination of PE and polypropylene (PP) at various weight percentages of PP relative to a total weight of the combination, are dissolved in paraffin oil under heating and agitation and then cooled to form a (solid) mixture of PE, PP, and paraffin oil.
• Weight percentages of PP evaluated include 0% of PP, about 10% of PP, about 35% of PP, about 60% of PP, about 85% of PP, and 100% of PP.
• Figure 1 1 shows evaluation results of the mechanical strength of resulting fibers, in terms of their maximum elongation at break.
• maximum elongation at break varies depending on weight percentages of PP, with the inclusion of about 10% of PP (maximum elongation at break of about 1 10%) and about 35% of PP (maximum elongation at break of about 70%)) yielding fibers with improved mechanical strength compared to 0% of PP (namely PE alone) and 100% of PP (namely PP alone).
• Nanoporous fibers of a blend of PE and PP are woven into a textile.
• Figure 12 shows transmittance/reflectance of the textile (about 10%) of PP) on the left compared with transmittance/reflectance of a textile formed from a single-fiber yarn of nanoporous PE fibers (0% of PP) on the right.
• Both textiles have a high transmittance of IR radiation, with comparable weighted averaged transmittance over wavelengths of human body radiation (2 ⁇ to 20 ⁇ ) of about 73.1% (blend of PE and PP) and about 74.7% (PE alone).
• the terms “substantially,” “substantial,” and “about” are used to describe and account for small variations. When used in conjunction with an event or circumstance, the terms can refer to instances in which the event or circumstance occurs precisely as well as instances in which the event or circumstance occurs to a close approximation.
• the terms can encompass a range of variation of less than or equal to ⁇ 10% of that numerical value, such as less than or equal to ⁇ 5%, less than or equal to ⁇ 4%, less than or equal to ⁇ 3%, less than or equal to ⁇ 2%, less than or equal to ⁇ 1%, less than or equal to ⁇ 0.5%, less than or equal to ⁇ 0.1%, or less than or equal to ⁇ 0.05%.
• size refers to a characteristic dimension of an object.
• a size of an object that is spherical can refer to a diameter of the object.
• a size of the non-spherical object can refer to a diameter of a corresponding spherical object, where the corresponding spherical object exhibits or has a particular set of derivable or measurable properties that are substantially the same as those of the non-spherical object.
• a size of a set of objects can refer to a typical size of a distribution of sizes, such as an average size, a median size, or a peak size.
• range format is used for convenience and brevity and should be understood flexibly to include numerical values explicitly specified as limits of a range, but also to include all individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly specified.
• a range of about 1 to about 200 should be understood to include the explicitly recited limits of about 1 and about 200, but also to include individual values such as about 2, about 3, and about 4, and sub-ranges such as about 10 to about 50, about 20 to about 100, and so forth.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
• Woven Fabrics (AREA)
• Artificial Filaments (AREA)
• Spinning Methods And Devices For Manufacturing Artificial Fibers (AREA)

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• 2017
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