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Polar bear fur-inspired sweater is thinner than a down jacket — and just as warm

The synthetic fibre is an aerogel coated with polyurethane and is flexible, washable and wearable.
  1. Gemma Conroy
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A sweater knitted from a fibre that mimics polar bear fur offers as much warmth as a down jacket, despite being one-fifth as thick, according to a study published today in Science1. The fibre — made from a light, synthetic material known as an aerogel — maintains its heat-trapping properties even after being stretched, washed and dyed.

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doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-023-04145-5

Updates & Corrections

  • Correction 21 December 2023: In an earlier version of this story, Shu-Hong Yu was incorrectly identified. A correction has been made.

References

  1. Wu, M. et al. Science 382, 1379–1383 (2023).

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  2. Wicklein, B. et al. Nature Nanotech. 10, 277–283 (2015).

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  3. Cuce, E., Cuce, P. M., Wood, C. J. & Riffat, S. B. Renew. Sust. Energ. Rev. 34, 273-299 (2014).

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