Clevertex - Grado Zero Espace Srl

shoulders, the chest and the arms) can be individually monitored to desired temperatures and perform
the heating in the following manner:
A thin strip of metal is vacuum sealed between two layers of gel and then covered with a fabric made
out of Kevlar, a para-aramide. On this thin strip of metal is a chip positioned that sends impulses to the
computer relaying messages on the internal body heat inside the jacket.
Textile products for warmth and comfort have also been made by Malden Mills, the manufacturer of
Polartec fleeces. They have developed a fleece that conducts heat through proprietary stainless steel
fibres that are washable, supple and soft. Land’s End has licensed the technology to create the
Polartec Heat Blanket, which provides an even distribution of heating without the apparent wiring that
is typical in conventional electric blankets [102].
Further, Malden Mills has licensed the technology to North Face, which is using it for the high-end
MET5 jackets.
Fig. 42 MET5 jacket [103]
The MET5 jacket is constructed from Polartec Power Shield - a tightly woven, nylon fabric that is
highly wind and abrasion resistant - with Polartec heat panels throughout. These panels are powered
by rechargeable lithium ion batteries, and are controlled from a pliable switch panel located on the
upper left chest of the jacket and welded right into the fabric. (Batteries and AC recharger included)
[102].
At the Design for Life Centre at Brunel University, UK, a research group worked on temperature
controlled clothing. The basic technology behind the jacket is the ‘Sensory Fabric’ (see chapter
2.1.3.1.1). In co-operation with the British company Gorix Unlimited they are looking for possible fields
of applications of the ‘Sensory Fabric’ [42, 43]. Eventually, they developed a heating and cooling
jacket.
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