14 DAY TRIAL // The researchers at the Institute of Basic Science in South Korea and the Center of Nanoparticle Research have developed a way to treat chronic muscle pain when doctors recommend applying heat on the injured area.
Having a light, flexible design, the scientists at IBS built a method of offering a reliable heating material that doesn't require exotic materials and complex fabrication processes, which are usually quite expensive. They thus looked at more utilitarian commonly found elements to drive heat and be light to carry. In this regard, instead of carbon nanotubes and gold wiring, slivers of silver nanowires were chosen.
Measuring about 150 nm in diameter and approximately 30 μm in length, six times thinner than your average human hair, the nanowires become stretchy and elastic when mixed into a liquid of elastic material and then dried.
Being very delicate, elastic and non-obtrusive, the device easily becomes an elegant must-have for those who need to work and move around while trying to contain their sore limbs. Also, with a more mainstream use of nanowires, its benefits when being integrated on clothes like ski pants and jackets for generating heat will be immense.
Although needing a battery, as current still needs to flow through the silver linings, pun intended, the temperature will be constant and long lasting as it circulates through the mesh. Combine that with the latest insulating materials, and you've got yourself an incredible heat generating and keeping technology.
This new tech, coupled with the conductive ink coming from Japan, will surely change the way we dress and generally use clothes in the near future. Aesthetics aside, the practicalities are endless.
