A retroreflective article including a reflective-particle-containing binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements comprise a primary reflective layer that covers a portion of the embedded surface area of the transparent microsphere, and a secondary reflective layer provided by portions of the reflective-particle-containing binder layer that are adjacent to portions of the embedded surface area of the transparent microsphere that are not covered by the primary reflective layer.

A light-weight radiation protection panel comprising radiation protection layer and a flexible material. The radiation protection layer comprises a plurality of a shielding material distributed in repeated and adjacent units of geometrical shapes, the light-weight radiation protection panel being able to be embodied in a wearable garment providing flexibility.

Provided are fabrics having retroreflectivity, products produced therefrom and methods of their manufacture.

Methods and associated light management system variously provide protection of at least UPF 50, a cooling effect, a shading effect, a warming effect and a source for a photovoltaic device. A textile material absorb incident spectrum including one or more of a UV wavelength, a visible wavelength, and a near infrared wavelength and spontaneously emits light having an emission spectrum including visible light radiation and near infrared radiation. The textile material and associated articles have a high degree of UV blocking property due to strong absorption in the UV range. In addition, the spontaneous emission releases most of the absorbed energy and, therefore, the textile material remains relatively cool under sunlight, the shading effect. Furthermore, the strong spontaneous emission allows for shielding properties even when the apparel is made from otherwise sheer knit or weave structure. Associated application methods and manufacture methods are also disclosed.

The invention relates to a fiber and a textile woven with the fiber, the fiber has two surfaces, a light-reflective layer and a luminescent layer respectively, and thus has light-reflective and luminescent functions. The functional fiber can be woven into a textile, or used as a sewing thread or an embroidery thread, so that apparels with the textile, the sewing thread or the embroidery thread have light-reflective and luminescent properties, making the apparels fashionable and capable of providing safety.

An evaporative cooling garment includes a first layer and a second layer superimposed over the first layer. The first layer is configured to absorb a quantity of water, and the second layer includes a reflective material and defines openings. The first layer is visible from an exterior of the garment through the openings in the second layer, and the garment defines a collapsible gap between an inner surface of the second layer and an outer surface of the first layer.

A stitched fabric including a retroreflective core and a yarn stitched through and forming stitch holes in the retroreflective core, where the yarn extends over at least a majority of a width and a length of the stitched fabric but still permits a portion of the retroreflective core to be visible. In some cases, the yarn and the retroreflective core are free from contact by another layer on either side of the retroreflective core. In some cases, a barrier layer is disposed over at least one side of the retroreflective core and a melted portion of the barrier layer fills a portion of the stitch holes.

There is provided a process for manufacturing a firefighter protective garment. The process includes providing an outer shell material having an exposed surface; printing one or more reflective features directly on the exposed surface of the outer shell material; cutting the outer shell material to define outer shell panels; and assembling the outer shell panels to form an outer shell of the firefighter protective garment with the reflective features facing outwardly of said garment. There is also provided a firefighter protective garment, including an inner liner and an outer shell made from a flame-resistant material, the outer shell extending over at least a portion of the inner liner. The outer shell has an outermost surface, the outermost surface including reflective features printed directly thereon, the reflective features facing outwardly of said firefighter protective garment. The garment may be a firefighter protective coat and/or firefighter protective pants.

A light-weight radiation protection panel comprising radiation protection layer and a flexible material. The radiation protection layer comprises a plurality of a shielding material distributed in repeated and adjacent units of geometrical shapes, the light-weight radiation protection panel being able to be embodied in a wearable garment providing flexibility.

A retroreflective article including a binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements include a reflective layer that is embedded between the transparent microsphere and the binder layer. At least some of the embedded reflective layers are localized reflective layers.