Passive cooling diaper fabric using bio-based materials
Innovative diaper fabric utilizing electrospun ethyl cellulose, bamboo yarns, TPU, and ZnO for passive cooling and sweat dissipation. Ideal for creating comfortable, breathable diapers with high sweat absorption and thermal regulation capabilities.
Overview
This solution introduces a novel diaper fabric designed for passive cooling and enhanced sweat dissipation, using bio-based materials. The fabric combines electrospun ethyl cellulose (EC) with ZnO particles, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and bamboo yarns. This innovative approach seeks to create a diaper that not only absorbs sweat but also cools the skin gently, ensuring comfort and dryness for prolonged use.
Technical specifications
- Fabric 1: Composed of EC and ZnO particles, providing gentle skin cooling and enhanced mechanical properties.
- Fabric 2: Made from EC and TPU, offering a porous network for moisture permeability and thermal dissipation.
- Bamboo fiber yarns: Woven into both fabrics for intrinsic hydrophilicity, facilitating unidirectional sweat transport.
- Integration: Fabrics are woven together, then heat-pressed and sewn to form a single composite fabric.
The solution leverages electrospinning, a process known for creating flexible polymer materials, to produce fabrics with superior mechanical properties. The unique combination of materials ensures high breathability and effective thermal regulation.
Technology readiness level
Currently at TRL 4, the fabric has been successfully conceptualized and is undergoing validation. Prototypes have been developed and tested using a mannequin simulating real perspiration. Further development and testing are planned to refine the design and enhance performance.
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a comprehensive private research university in upstate New York, pairing fundamental inquiry with applied, industry-facing work. Industry engagement is anchored by a downtown innovation campus with co-located university–industry labs, pilot-scale testbeds, and flexible prototyping spaces. A centralized corporate partnerships office and experiential learning pipelines link R&D teams to faculty and student talent through sponsored research, internships, and capstone collaborations. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Defense. A dedicated technology transfer office and campus-linked incubators streamline IP, licensing, and startup formation.
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