RMIT researchers produce nanodiamond cooling material

Researchers from RMIT University are using nanodiamonds to create smart textiles that can cool people down faster.  

The study found fabric made from cotton coated with nanodiamonds, using a method called electrospinning, showed a reduction of 2-3°C during the cooling down process compared to untreated cotton. 

They do this by drawing out body heat and releasing it from the fabric – a result of the incredible thermal conductivity of nanodiamonds. 

Project lead and RMIT senior lecturer Shadi Houshyar said there was a big opportunity to use these insights to create new textiles for sportswear and personal protective clothing, such as under layers to keep fire fighters cool. 

The study also found nanodiamonds increased the UV protection of cotton, making it ideal for outdoor summer clothing. 

“While 2 or 3 degrees may not seem like much of a change, it does make a difference in comfort and health impacts over extended periods and in practical terms, could be the difference between keeping your air conditioner off or turning it on,” Houshyar says. 

“There’s also potential to explore how nanodiamonds can be used to protect buildings from overheating, which can lead to environmental benefits.”

The use of the nanodiamond fabric in clothing was projected to lead to a 20-30 per cent energy saving due to lower use of air conditioning. And despite what people may think at first glance, the fabric won’t necessarily be prohibitively expensive to produce.

“Contrary to popular belief, nanodiamonds are not the same as the diamonds that adorn jewellery,” Houshyar says. “They’re actually cheap to make — cheaper than graphene oxide and other types of carbon materials.

“While they have a carbon lattice structure, they are much smaller in size. They’re also easy to make using methods like detonation or from waste materials.”

Image courtesy of RMIT.