Cosmic blanket scientists are inspired by ink skin

Cosmopolitan houses can soon be covered with ink skins inspired by ink skin.

The new space blanket is adaptable, designed by engineers at the University of California, Irvine, which will allow users to control body temperature .

Cosmic blankets allow users to control body temperature.

Alon Gorodetsky, an assistant professor of chemistry and molecular biology at UCI, said: 'The ultra-light cosmic rugs have been around for decades, you see athletes running marathon swaddling the blanket to avoid losing muscle heat. after each race, but the big minus point is due to the material being static. We have made a modified version of the material so you can adjust the level of heat retained or radiated '.

Squid skin and other head-legged animals are characterized by cell pigments, small attached pigment cells that can expand and shrink to control skin color and texture. In a split second, the pigments can change from small spots to flat plates.

Researcher Erica Leung, a graduate student at UCI, said: 'We use a similar concept in our research, in which we have a tiny class of metal' islands' adjacent to together. In the state of relaxation, the islands gather together and materials reflect and retain heat, like a traditional Mylar space blanket . When stretching this material, the islands separate, allowing infrared radiation to pass through and allowing heat to escape. '

Researchers plan to improve the technology inspired by ink to control the temperature inside buildings, tents and electronic devices. Ink-like materials can be combined with clothes.

Gorodetsky said: 'The temperature makes people feel comfortable in the office with each person slightly different. While one person is okay with 21 degrees Celsius, the person at the next table may prefer 23.8 degrees Celsius. Our invention can produce tailored clothing to suit the comfort of every person in the room. This can save 30-40% on air conditioning and heating use. '

In addition to high adaptability, the new material is light, cheap, easy to produce and very durable.