Scientists from MIT add live natto cells to the garment fabric, based on the Bacillus natto response to moisture and temperature, which can be " intelligently" based on the wearer's sweat and heat on the flaps of the back " open" and " close. ". The study was published in science advances.
The researchers created the bacterial cell layer in the interior of the latex by printing, the layer below which is a supporting frame structure that allows the internal cell layer to perceive the temperature and humidity of the skin. The biological composite latex - cell material is made into the flap of the garment, the flap is designed according to the sweat and heat distribution of the human body, with different sizes, scattered in the back of the garment.
In this garment, the live natto cells perform the dual functions of the sensor and actuator, which do not require any external force to perceive the surrounding humidity and heat, thereby affecting the arrangement and contraction of the bacterial layer. When the garment wearer sweats, the change of lactobacillus can drive the flap opening, so that the sweat can get good evaporation. When the main body cools, the flap is driven off. When the tester wears a garment for five minutes, the flap opens outwards, just as the real skin has " intelligent" pores.
The overall properties of the fabric and bacterial cell layer were not significantly decreased after 100 times open / closed test by the researchers.
The researchers also designed a prototype of the ventilation shoe based on this, in shoes and soles of the soles of the soles, the researchers set up a number of folding flaps that can be bent down.
In fact, these microorganisms are safe, and based on the current genetic engineering approach, can enable it to achieve large-scale production.