RESPONSIVE FABRIC AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING OF RESPONSIVE FABRIC

Abstract

It is provided a fabric that simultaneously responds to multiple environment conditions to enhance comfort of an individual. The fabric comprises a fabric layer with a first yarn that mainly forms a face surface of the fabric facing an environment and a second yarn that mainly forms a back surface of the fabric facing a wearer. At least two stimuli responsive materials are applied to the fabric. One of the at least two stimuli responsive materials is temperature responsive material or moisture responsive material that dynamically changes its dimensions, conformation, rigidity/elasticity or its color in response to a change of a temperature or humidity in the environment.

Claims

1-76. (canceled)

77. An article of apparel comprising: a fabric layer comprising a face surface configured to face an ambient environment and a back surface configured to face a wearer body; and at least two stimuli responsive materials, wherein the at least two stimuli responsive materials are each individually applied to at least a portion of the fabric, are each individually different materials, and are each individually configured to respond independently to different environment stimuli; wherein at least one of the at least two stimuli responsive materials comprises a temperature response material which is configured to dynamically change dimensions, conformation, chemical structure, color or rigidity/elasticity in response to a change of a temperature in the ambient environment or in a microclimate environment between a wearer body and the fabric, or wherein at least one of the at least two stimuli responsive materials comprises a moisture responsive material which is configured to dynamically change dimensions, conformation, chemical structure, color or rigidity/elasticity in response to a change of moisture in the ambient environment or in the microclimate environment between the wearer body and the fabric.

78. The article of apparel of claim 77, wherein a first one of the at least two stimuli responsive materials comprises the moisture responsive material, a second one of the at least two stimuli responsive material comprises the temperature responsive material, and the article of apparel is configured to position the moisture responsive material closer to skin of a wearer body and is configured to position the temperature responsive material further away from skin of a wearer body.

79. The article of apparel of claim 77, wherein a first one of the at least two stimuli responsive materials comprises the moisture responsive material, a second one of the at least two stimuli responsive material comprises the temperature responsive material, and the moisture responsive material and the temperature responsive material create a pattern on the fabric.

80. The article of apparel of claim 79, wherein the pattern includes a first area or first areas comprising only the moisture responsive material, and includes a second area or second areas comprising only the temperature responsive material.

81. The article of apparel of claim 77, wherein the at least two stimuli responsive materials comprises a first responsive material and a second responsive material, the first responsive material comprises the temperature responsive material or the moisture responsive material, and the second responsive material comprises a strain/stress responsive material configured to dynamically change dimensions, chemical structure, rigidity/elasticity or color in response to a force applied to the fabric.

82. The article of apparel of claim 77, wherein the fabric further comprises a middle layer positioned between the face layer and the back layer of the fabric.

83. The article of apparel of claim 77, wherein the at least two stimuli responsive materials include the moisture responsive material, and the moisture responsive material comprises a polyurethane or a polyurethane derivative.

84. The article of apparel of claim 77, wherein the at least two stimuli responsive materials include the moisture responsive material, and the moisture responsive material includes a liquid crystal.

85. The article of apparel of claim 77, wherein the at least two stimuli responsive materials include the moisture responsive material, the moisture response material comprises a synthetic polymer, a natural material, or a combination thereof; or comprises a blend of a cellulose microfibril/nanofibril, or comprises a graphene, or comprises a blend of a cellulose microfibril/nanofibril and a graphene.

86. The article of apparel of claim 77, wherein the at least two stimuli responsive materials include the moisture responsive material, and the moisture responsive material comprises a brush polymer, or the moisture response material comprises a liquid crystal polymer or a liquid crystal dispersed polymer.

87. The article of apparel of claim 77, wherein the at least two stimuli responsive material include the temperature responsive material, the temperature responsive material is configured to change from being hydrophilic with a high moisture regain level to hydrophobic with a lower moisture regain level when a temperature in the ambient environment or in the microclimate environment between a wearer body and the fabric increases above a lower critical temperature, and wherein the temperature responsive material comprises a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), a derivative thereof, a copolymer thereof, or a combination thereof.

88. The article of apparel of claim 77, wherein the at least two stimuli responsive materials include the temperature responsive material, and the temperature responsive material comprises a brush polymer.

89. The article of apparel of claim 77, wherein the at least two stimuli responsive materials include the temperature responsive material, and the temperature responsive material comprises a liquid crystal polymer or a liquid crystal dispersed polymer.

90. The article of apparel of claim 81, wherein the strain/stress responsive material is configured to change rigidity/elasticity, dimensions or color in response to a force is applied to at least part of the fabric, and is a composite material comprising a strain/stress responsive response material and a base polymer.

91. The article of apparel of claim 90, wherein the strain/stress responsive material comprises a brush polymer, or comprises a liquid crystal polymer, or comprises photonic crystals embedded in an elastic polymer or a blend of elastic polymers.

92. The article of apparel of claim 90, wherein the strain/stress responsive material is configured to stiffen in response to a force, and is selected from crosslinked polymer networks, a hydrogel, a liquid metal and elastomer composite, or a nanocomposite.

93. The article of apparel of claim 90, wherein the strain/stress responsive material is configured to soften in response to a force, and comprises a carbon fiber and elastomer composite or a nanocomposite.

94. The article of apparel of claim 77, wherein the fabric further comprises at least one self-healing agent configured to reinforce the fabric with extra rigidity or elasticity or durability, or to repair a damage to the fabric by crosslinking, curing, solidification, or material growth.

95. The article of apparel of claim 94, wherein the self-healing material comprises an isocyanate prepolymer enclosed by a polyurethane hardener and a 1,4-butanediol shell, or comprises a polyelectrolyte including positively and negatively charged polymers.

96. The article of apparel of claim 77, wherein the at least two stimuli responsive materials comprise the moisture responsive material, and the moisture responsive material is applied in a pattern along pores in the fabric.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0068] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings.

[0069] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a responsive fabric in accordance to one embodiment.

[0070] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic representation of a responsive fabric in accordance to another embodiment.

[0071] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic representation of a responsive fabric in accordance to yet another embodiment.

[0072] FIG. 4 illustrates examples of moisture responsive material and/or temperature responsive material patterns in a responsive fabric.

[0073] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of an article of apparel with of moisture responsive material and/or temperature responsive material patterns in at least one responsive fabric zone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0074] In accordance with the present disclosure, it is provided fabric with an interlocked or interlaced fibrous structure that is fabricated by weaving, knitting, braiding, plaiting or other advanced manufacturing methods such as 3D printing or bio fabricating. In some implementations, the fabric can be nonwoven fabric made by any known nonwoven manufacturing technique. Nonwoven fabrics are web structures bonded together by entangling fibers mechanically, thermally fusing the fibers or chemically bonding the fibers. In some implementations, the fabric can be laminated fabric made with at least one of the said fibrous structures.

[0075] Environment and environment conditions as defined herein for the purpose of this application means either an ambient environment or microclimate environment (environment between a wearer body and the fabric) or an external stimuli applied to the fabric.

[0076] As seen in FIG. 1, it is provided a fabric 10 comprising a fabric layer F having a face surface facing an ambient environment and a back surface facing a wearer. The face surface can comprise a first yarn mainly forming the face surface, and the back surface can comprise a second yarn forming mainly the back surface. In some embodiments, the fabric F can be a fabric having at least two layers with a face layer having a face surface and comprising a first yarn, and a back layer with a back surface facing the wearer and comprising a second yarn. The first and the second yarn can be the same yarn, in one implementation. In one embodiment, the fabric F can have at least one middle layer positioned between the face layer and the back layer. The at least one middle layer has a first surface facing an inner surface of the face layer and a second surface facing an inner surface of the back layer. In one embodiment, the fabric 10 can be a spacer fabric or can comprise a spacer fabric layer. Spacer fabric is a three-dimensional knitted fabric that comprises two separate knitted substrates/layers joined together and kept apart by spacer yarns.

[0077] At least two responsive materials are applied to either of the face surface, the back surface or both surfaces of the fabric F. In cases of multilayered fabric F, the at least two responsive materials can be applied to either: the face surface or inner surface of the face layer or both, the back surface or inner surface or both of the back layer, or first surface or second surface or both of the at least one middle layer, or any other suitable combination. For example, one of the responsive materials can be a temperature responsive material while the other responsive material can be a moisture responsive material. Moisture as defined herein, means any liquid such as for example a sweat, water or any other liquid. One of the responsive materials, can be a temperature responsive material T, and in one embodiment, it can be applied to the back surface of the fabric layer. The temperature responsive material can dynamically change its dimensions, conformation, chemical structure, color or its rigidity/elasticity in response to a change of a temperature in an environment. The other responsive material can be a moisture response material M. The moisture responsive material can be applied to the face surface of the fabric layer, in one embodiment. The moisture responsive material dynamically changes its dimensions, conformation, chemical structure, color or its rigidity/elasticity in response to a change of a humidity in the environment. In some embodiments the temperature responsive material is closer to a wearer than the moisture responsive material. In the configuration of the provided fabric layer 10, exemplified in FIG. 1, the moisture response material M is applied on the face surface of the fabric layer F facing the ambient environment and the temperature responsive material T is applied on the back surface of the fabric layer F facing the wearer. For example, the moisture responsive material M can be applied to the face surface of the fabric F, such as for example along pores in the fabric structure which can dynamically change its dimensions and conformation, such as swell and create distortion of the fabric structure, in response to change in humidity, which may enlarge the size of the fabric pores thus improve thermal convection and enable direct moisture evaporation. The temperature responsive material T applied on the back surface of the fabric layer F can change from being hydrophilic to hydrophobic as it undergoes a sharp molecular conformational change when temperature changes, e.g., swelling closing the pores in the fabric structure. In this way, the back surface of the fabric F is hydrophilic helping with humidity management when wearer is at rest, and becomes hydrophobic to generate a dry sensation while pushing sweat through the fabric to the face surface for evaporative cooling.

[0078] The fabric layer F can comprise a first yarn which can be a synthetic or bio polymer, a biosynthetic polymer, a natural material based fiber such as a cellulose, a regenerated cellulose, alginate, proteins, chitosan, starch, lignocellulose fiber or any blend combination thereof. In addition, the fabric layer F encompassed herein can comprise a second yarn comprising a synthetic or bio polymer, a biosynthetic polymer, a natural material based fiber such as a cellulose, a regenerated cellulose, alginate, proteins, chitosan, starch, lignocellulose fiber or any blend combination thereof.

[0079] In an alternate embodiment, the responsive fabric 20 as depicted in FIG. 2 can comprise the temperature responsive material T applied on the face surface of the fabric layer F and the moisture response material M applied on top of the temperature responsive material T. Alternatively, it is encompassed a responsive fabric 30 wherein the moisture response material M is applied on the back surface of the fabric layer F, the temperature responsive material T subsequently applied on top of the response material M and thus positioned at the interface between the response material M and the wearer (see FIG. 3).

[0080] In some implementations, the moisture responsive materials can be positioned closer to the skin of the wearer while the temperature responsive materials can be positioned further away from the skin of the wearer. In yet some embodiments the moisture responsive materials and the temperature responsive materials can create a pattern, some of which are exemplified in FIGS. 4 and 5. In some implementations, the pattern is designed so that create first area(s) of the fabric where the temperature responsive materials are closer to the wearer body while the moisture responsive materials are away from the wearer body, and second area(s) where the moisture responsive materials are closer to the wearer body while the temperature responsive material is away from the wearer. In some implementations, the first area(s) can comprise only moisture responsive materials while the second area(s) can comprise only the temperature responsive materials (or vice versa the first areas comprising thermal responsive materials while the second areas comprising the moisture responsive materials) creating the designed pattern. The moisture responsive materials areas and the temperature responsive materials areas can be adjacent one to another or can be spaced apart.

[0081] The stimuli responsive materials, such as the moisture responsive, temperature responsive or stress/strain responsive materials can be applied to one or more surfaces of the fabric in a desired pre-determined pattern. In some implementations, one or more stimuli responsive materials can be embedded within a responsive supporting polymer or polymer composite creating a responsive areas. In some implementations, the one or more stimuli responsive materials can be embedded within a nonresponsive supporting polymer layer to create a patterned array of responsive areas and nonresponsive areas.

[0082] As exemplified, moisture responsive materials, such as polyurethane and derivatives, cellulose microfibril/nanofibril and graphene blends, bacterial spores, liquid crystals are coated with or without a polymer matrix/adhesive on one side of the fabric, e.g., a face side of the fabric along the pores in the fabric structure which will swell and create distortion of fabric structure which will enlarge the size of the pores for improved thermal convection and enable direct evaporation cooling from skin. In some implementations, the moisture responsive material can change from being hydrophilic to hydrophobic as it undergoes a sharp conformational change when moisture goes above its lower critical value for non-stickiness and smooth sensation. In some embodiments, the moisture responsive materials can be hydrochromic that changes color when the material gets wet (moisture in the surrounding microclimate changes). For example, the moisture responsive material can comprise photonic crystals or liquid crystals embedded in elastic polymer where the elastic polymer is a moisture responsive, such as for example, cellulose, polyurethane, protein, algae or a blend of such moisture responsive materials. In one embodiment, the photonic crystals can be embedded with polymers, such as, polystyrene, poly(styrene-methyl methacrylate-acrylic acid), poly(styrene-b-isoprene), polystyrene-poly(2-vinylpyridine) or poly(methyl methacrylate). In one embodiment, the photonic crystals can be embedded with inorganic materials such as iron oxide, silicone dioxide or multilayer structural materials made with polymer coated inorganic nanomaterials or multilayer inorganic nanostructured materials. In one embodiment, the photonic crystals can be embedded with liquid crystals such as cellulose nanocrystals. The photonic crystals can be embedded in a hydrogel or flexible polymer, so that as the hydrogel swells or de-swells the particle spacing in the embedded photonic crystals changes causing color change.

[0083] In an example, the moisture responsive material comprises a water soluble lyotropic liquid crystal polymer and a moisture responsive polymer. When exposed to moisture, the moisture responsive polymer expands and exposes the water soluble lyotropic liquid crystal polymer to moisture, wherein, the liquid crystal polymer swells and become softer. The moisture responsive material can also comprise a dissolved lyotropic liquid crystal polymer and a moisture responsive polymer. When exposed to moisture, the moisture responsive polymer expands and exposes the dissolved lyotropic liquid crystal polymer to moisture, wherein, the solvent of the liquid crystal polymer is extracted by moisture and the liquid crystal polymer solidifies and gains a higher stiffness.

[0084] In another example, the thermal responsive material can be a thermotropic liquid crystal polymer having a certain glass transition or melting point. The environment temperature can be above or below the glass transition or melting point of thermotropic liquid crystal polymer. When the environment temperature is below the glass transition or melting point of thermotropic liquid crystal polymer and rises to or above its glass or melting transition point, the molecular structure of the thermotropic liquid crystal polymer becomes more disordered and the polymer become softer. When the environment temperature is above the glass transition or melting point of thermotropic liquid crystal polymer and it drops to or below its glass or melting transition point, the polymer molecules become more oriented and shows high mechanical properties as a consequence of the self-reinforcing properties derived from the macromolecular orientation thus becoming stiffer.

[0085] In some implementations, the fabric F can be engineered to comprise a patterned array of stimuli responsive region/area/zone and nonresponsive region/area/zone. For example, the stimuli responsive materials can be embedded within a nonresponsive supporting polymer layer (e.g., an elastic flexible supporting layer) creating the patterned array of responsive regions/areas/zones (i.e., zones where the stimuli responsive materials are embedded in the supporting polymer) and nonresponsive regions/areas/zones, such as zones with no stimuli responsive materials embedded therein.

[0086] In some embodiments, the moisture response material can be a composite material made of moisture response materials and a base polymer. The base polymer can be a polyurethane or a polyurethane derivative, or an organic silicon or derivative polymer, or a polyamide or derivative, or a polyester or derivative polymer, or an acrylic or derivative polymer, or a polyolefin or derivative polymer, or an ethyl acetate or derivative polymer, or protein based polymer, or starch based polymer, or a polysaccharide polymer, or a algal polymer, or a rubber. It is also encompassed that the moisture response material can be a blend of a cellulose microfibril/nanofibril and/or a graphene. Alternatively, moisture responsive material can be a bacterial spore with a cellulose microfibril/nanofibril base, or a bacterial spore and a polyurethane base. The bacterial spore is selected from non-pathogenic strains from for example bacillus genus, such as, Bacillus atrophaeus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus stearothermophil. Alternatively, moisture responsive material can comprise lignin, lignin derivative, chitin, chitin derivative, natural or regenerated protein and derivatives, synthetic polymers (i.e., polylactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoates, silicone polymers, etc.), cellulose and cellulosic materials, biomaterials, microorganisms, starch materials and inorganic materials (i.e., graphene, carbon, graphite, silicone, glass, metallic materials).

[0087] The back side of fabric surface, in some example embodiments, is coated with temperature responsive polymers, such as poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and derivatives that change from being hydrophilic to hydrophobic as it undergoes a sharp conformational change when temperature goes above its lower critical solution temperature (LCST) (35-39 C.). In this way, the surface of the fabric stays hydrophilic helping with humidity management when body is at rest; and becomes hydrophobic to generate a dry sensation and pushing sweat through the fabric to the outer side for evaporative cooling effect. In some embodiments, the temperature responsive material can be thermochromic that changes colors when temperature changes. For example, the temperature responsive materials can comprise photonic crystals embedded in elastic polymer that is a temperature responsive polymer such as Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) or a blend of temperature responsive polymers. In some embodiments, the temperature response material can be a composite material made of temperature response materials and a base polymer. In a further embodiment, the base polymer can be a polyurethane or a polyurethane derivative, or an organic silicon or derivative polymer, or a polyamide or derivative, or a polyester or derivative polymer, or an acrylic or derivative polymer, or a polyolefin or derivative polymer, or an ethyl acetate or derivative polymer, or protein based polymer, or starch based polymer, or a polysaccharide polymer, or a algal polymer, or a rubber. The temperature responsive material can comprise shape memory materials (i.e., TiNi shape memory alloys, CUAlZn based alloys, aliphatic polyesters (such as poly(-caprolactone) (PCL), poly(lactide) (PLA)) and derivates, polyurethane based polymers, azobenzene based polymers), phase changing materials (i.e., paraffin waxes, poly(ethylene glycol) s and derivatives, fatty acids and derivatives, polyalcohols and derivatives), photochromatic materials, salvatochromatic materials, piezochromatic materials, mechanochromatic materials, natural or regenerated protein and derivatives, synthetic polymers, cellulose and cellulosic materials, biomaterials, microorganisms, starch materials and inorganic materials. In some implementations, one of the responsive materials can be strain or stress responsive material. The strain/stress responsive material can be applied to the face side, in one embodiment, and can change its dimensions (expands or shrinks), its conformation (to comply with the body curve, introduce changes to its physical properties, such as hygroscopicity, density, optical properties), its chemical structure (bonding or debonding, crosslinking, etc), its rigidity/elasticity or its color in response to a change of pressure/tension applied to the material. The strain/stress responsive material can become more stiff upon increased deformation of the fabric or increased compression applied to the fabric or can expand when stretched or compressed (e.g., auxetic materials). Auxetic materials are materials that have negative Poisson's ratio expanding (become thicker) in direction that is perpendicular to the applied force. For example, in response to change of the pressure applied to the material, e.g., slight swelling of a body part during activity or impact, the material can expand or soften (become more elastic) to provide more free sensation and better breathability or can shrink and stiffen for more of a hugged sensation and dampening of the impact. In some embodiments, the strain/stress responsive material release heat, such as for example rubber, or absorb heat when the material is stressed/strained.

[0088] In one embodiment, the strain/stress responsive material can comprise warming agents or cooling agents that are released upon force is applied to the fabric. Examples of the strain/stress responsive material that can stiffen upon force is applied are: crosslinked polymer networks such as fibroblasts, myocytes, neurons, actins, collagen) hydrogel, agarose gel, cellulose nanofiber based composite hydrogel, ethyleneglycol-functionalized polyisocyanopeptides hydrogel, Poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(n-butyl acrylate) block copolymer hydrogel, or liquid metal/elastomer composites such as Galinstan liquid metal droplet/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composites or nanocomposites such as carbon nanotube/polydimethylsiloxane composite, nano-SiC/polyurea nanocomposite, silicon dioxide/acrylonitrile butadiene rubber nanocomposite, graphene/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposite. Examples of strain/stress responsive material that can soften upon force is applied can be a composite such as carbon fiber elastomer composite or nanocomposites.

[0089] In one embodiment, the stimuli responsive material can comprises self-healing agents that reinforce the fabric with extra rigidity, or elasticity, or durability, or repairs a damage to the fabric by crosslinking, curing, solidification, or material growth. The self-healing material can be a healing agent enclosed in microcapsules or fibers. Upon damage by environment stimuli such as straining or abrasion or moisture/thermal response of the shell of the microcapsule or the fiber, the encapsulated healing agent is released and self-healing is initiated. For example, the self-healing material can be isocyanate prepolymer enclosed by commercial polyurethane hardener and 1.4-butanediol shell. Once the enclosed isocyanate prepolymer is release under strain, it reacts with the polyurethane hardener and 1.4-butanediol and form an elastic polyurethane coating for extra protection and elasticity enhancement at the site of the fabric. In another example, the self-healing agent can be a squid ring teeth polymer which is self-healing in water so coating comprising a squid ring teeth polymer as self-healing agent can be reparable of any micro and macro defects when in contact with water, such as for example during laundering of the fabric. The self-healing material can also be microcapsule-catalyst-based self-healing, dual/multi-capsule-based self-healing, microcapsule-latent functionality system based self-healing and self-healing using the processing method of capsule catalysts. The self-healing material can be a self-healing polymer that contains specific reversible chemical bonds that allow multiple healing steps upon activation. These bonds include the diels-Alder reaction, radical-based systems, supramolecular interactions, ionic interactions, metal-ligan interactions. The self-healing material can be a polyelectrolyte coating made of positively and negatively charged polymers. The polyelectrolyte coating can be applied to one or more surfaces of the fabric F, such as, face surface, back surface, inner surfaces, or first or second surface of the at least one middle layer of the fabric F, or it can be applied to the one or more of the yarns, such as for example, the first yarn, the second yarn or the third yarn. In some implementations, enzymes can be incorporated into the self-healing material. The self-healing material can also be microorganisms or spores of microorganisms encapsulated or embedded in capsules, fibers, or a polymer matrix. When the capsules, fibers or the polymer matrix is activated by environmental stimulus, the microorganism or the spores will be released or exposed to environment, start to germinate and generate materials such as cellulose, protein, mycelium.

[0090] In some embodiments, the strain/stress responsive material can comprise a photonic pigment that can change color space in between particles changes (such as, for example, when the material is strained or stressed). For example, the strain/stress responsive materials can comprise photonic crystals embedded in elastic polymer materials or hydrogels (e.g., any suitable elastic materials selected from elastomers, rubbers, polymer hydrogels and aerogels, or blends of such elastic polymers).

[0091] In some embodiments, the strain/stress responsive response material can be a composite material made of strain/stress responsive response materials and a base polymer. The base polymer can be a polyurethane or a polyurethane derivative, or an organic silicon or derivative polymer, or a polyamide or derivative, or a polyester or derivative polymer, or an acrylic or derivative polymer, or a polyolefin or derivative polymer, or an ethyl acetate or derivative polymer, or protein based polymer, or starch based polymer, or a polysaccharide polymer, or a algal polymer, or a rubber. In further embodiments, the strain/stress response material can comprise a liquid crystal polymer.

[0092] The moisture responsive materials, temperature responsive materials and strain/stress responsive materials can be coated on either face side or the back side of the fabric or both sides of the fabric in solid or design pattern fashion, or coated on the yarn itself or be blended with other textile filaments or yarns. In some implementations, the fabric can comprise moisture responsive materials coupled to at least part of the back side of the fabric and strain/stress responsive materials coupled to at least part of the face side of the fabric, or temperature responsive materials coupled to at least part of the back side of the fabric and strain/stress responsive materials coupled to at least part of the face side of the fabric, or moisture responsive materials and temperature responsive materials coupled to at least part of the back side of the fabric and strain/stress responsive materials coupled to at least part of the face side of the fabric or any other suitable combination thereof.

[0093] In some implementations, the fabric can comprise a middle layer positioned between the face layer and the back layer of the fabric. The middle layer can comprise a yarn made with at least two responsive materials responding independently to environment stimuli. For example, the yarn included in the middle layer can comprise a moisture responsive material and a temperature responsive material, or a moisture responsive material and a strain/stress responsive response material, or a strain/stress responsive response material and a temperature responsive material. The yarn in the middle layer can be one or more yarns. In one embodiment, the fabric can be spacer fabric and the stimuli responsive materials can be coated or embedded into the spacer yarns.

[0094] The moisture responsive, temperature responsive materials and strain/stress responsive materials can improve fabric's breathability by having yarn or coating that expand or shrink in response to raising in the temperature, humidity or pressure applied to the fabric. For example, the temperature responsive material can expand due to the change in temperature in the surrounding microclimate creating space with static air thus increasing the thermal insulation or such expansion can reduce the surface of contact with the wearer skin or reduce the pressure the fabric applies to the skin which will reduce the friction between the fabric and the skin of the wearer. Similarly, the moisture responsive materials can expand or reduce due to the change in moisture level which can create air flow for improved moisture management and can reduce friction by creating raising structure with fewer contact points with the skin. In addition, the first and/or second area(s) of the patterned fabric structure can curl or roll up/down in response to the temperature, moisture and/or pressure rise improving air convection, breathability of the fabric thus providing fabric with improved temperature, moisture and compression/flexibility management. In some embodiments, the patterned design of the first and second areas can cause at least parts of the fabric to raise in response to the change in temperature, moisture and/or strain/stress creating space between the wearer skin and the fabric or in-between two layers of fabric thus improving thermal insulation provided by such fabric, compression/elasticity of the fabric and moisture management. For example, parts of the fabric can raise by having yarns or coating expand or shrink in response to change of temperature, moisture/humidity or strain/stress. Having a yarn or coating that can shrink in response to change of temperature, moisture and/or pressure, and can crate areas which provide increased pressure to the wearer's body, i.e., creating compression areas, for example. Moisture responsive yarn or thermal responsive yarn are finished with responsive polymers, such as PNIPAM and derivatives before fabricated into fabrics. When sweating, the fabric responds to moisture or temperature change and undergo shape changing to facilitate cooling, as the surface of the yarn changes from hydrophilic to hydrophobic for a dry sensation. The finish can also be applied to the inner face of the fabric after the fabric is fabricated. In some embodiments, the fabric responds to moisture, temperature, strain/stress change and undergo shape changing to facilitate compression or hugged sensation, as the yarn and the fabric shrinks for a compression/hugged sensation.

[0095] In some implementations, a moisture/temperature/pressure responsive materials comprise brush polymer finish or coat that can be used on fiber/yam or fabric level. The moisture/temperature/pressure responsive brush polymer can undergo conformational change to create sensation of softness or smoothness. For example, mechanical characteristics of the brush polymer can change in response to the change of the moisture/temperature/pressure, such as reducing or increasing the stretchability of the fabric/fabric zones (areas) which will change the softness sensation (more stretchy areas will feel softer and/or smoother). In some implementation the brushed polymer may change on molecular level. For example, bottlebrush polymers can have phase changing side-chains that enable architectural control over both Young's modulus and phase changing temperature (melting temperature Tm or glass transition temperature Tg. Bottlebrush polymers (BBPs), also called molecular (bottle) brushes, are a class of graft copolymers in which relatively short polymeric side chains are densely grafted via a covalent bond on a polymer backbone. For example, the brush polymers can be poly(dimethylsiloxane) (pDMS) bottlebrush elastomers with a backbone of polymers such as poly(methyl meth-acrylate) (PMMA), poly(benzyl methacrylate) (PBzMA), or poly(oligo (ethylene glycol) mono-methyl ether methacrylate) [P(OEOMA). In the crystalline or glassy state when the temperature T is smaller than the Tm or Tg, the bottlebrush polymers are more rigid/rough or hard. When the temperature changes, such as for example when the body temperature rises above Tm/Tg, the side-chains of the polymer undergo phase change from crystal state to a melt/glass state (rubbery state with Young's modulus reducing by several orders of magnitude creating the sensation of softness or smoothness. The phase changing temperature of the brushed polymer and therefore their mechanical characteristics can be fine-tuned by tuning the degree of polymerization of side chains and the crosslink density. In some embodiments, multiple polymer layers of brush polymer can be used as coating, each polymer layer changing differently under stimuli (change of temperature) fine-tuning or tailoring the desired sensation/response. In some embodiments, the brush polymers can be selected from poly(valerolactone)-PVL, poly(n-butyl acrylate)-PnBA and poly(octadecyl acrylate-stat-docosyl acrylate) (poly(ODA-stat-DA)) copolymer. In some embodiments, the strain/stress responsive material that changes color in response to change in pressure can comprise bottlebrush polymers such as poly(norornene)-graft-poly(styrene))-block-(poly-(norbornene)-graft-poly(dimethylsiloxane).

[0096] The moisture response material can be selected form a synthetic polymer, or a natural material or a combination thereof. Preferably, it is encompassed that the moisture response material is a polyurethane and/or a polyurethane derivative. It is encompassed that the moisture response material is made of cellulose, protein, starch, algae, lignocellulose chitin or chitosan or a derivative of cellulose, protein, starch, algae, lignocellulose, chitin, chitosan, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the moisture response material can comprise a liquid crystal polymer.

[0097] Alternatively, the moisture response material can comprise bacterial spore, plant cell or a natural component generated by or separated from microorganisms, plants or animals or an artificial component that mimics the structure and function of bacterial spore, plant cell or a natural component generated by or separated from microorganisms, plants or animals.

[0098] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the moisture response material can be a composite material made of moisture response materials and a base polymer. The base polymer can be a polyurethane or a polyurethane derivative, or an organic silicon or derivative polymer, or a polyamide or derivative, or a polyester or derivative polymer, or an acrylic or derivative polymer, or a polyolefin or derivative polymer, or an ethyl acetate or derivative polymer, or protein based polymer, or starch based polymer, or a polysaccharide polymer, or a algal polymer, or a rubber.

[0099] It is also encompassed that the moisture response material is a blend of a cellulose microfibril/nanofibril and/or a graphene.

[0100] It is further encompassed that cooling agent that is highly thermal conductive and/or chemical agents that activate cutaneous transient receptor potential (TRP) channels that triggers the generation of cooling perception such as cooling oils or cooling chemicals extracted from cooling oils with or without encapsulation can be coated together with moisture responsive materials and/or the temperature responsive material such as polyurethane and derivatives, cellulose microfibril/nanofibril and graphene blends, bacterial spores and/or thermal responsive materials such as polyurethane or polyurethane copolymer or composite on the back side of the fabric. When these responsive materials responding to moisture or temperature change for better breathability, cooling oils or cooling chemicals diffuse out and generate cooling sensation on skin. The cooling oils can be plant oils extracted from plants such as peppermint, spearmint, jojoba, tea tree, Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus radiate, or any combination thereof. For example, when the temperature/moisture/pressure changes, the moisture, temperature or strain/stress responsive materials can expand creating openings in the material for air flow and easy diffuse paths to the wearer skin for cooling sensation.

[0101] Similarly, a warming agent that is thermal insulative and/or chemical agents that activate cutaneous transient receptor potential (TRP) channels that triggers the generation of warming perception such as warming oils or warming chemicals extracted from these oils with or without encapsulation can also be coated together with strain/stress materials, moisture responsive materials and/or the temperature responsive material such as polyurethane and derivatives, cellulose microfibril/nanofibril and graphene blends, bacterial spores and/or thermal responsive materials such as polyurethane or polyurethane copolymer or composite on the back side of the fabric. When these responsive materials responding to moisture or temperature change for better breathability, warming oils or warming chemicals diffuse out and generate warming sensation on skin, to further stimuli the sweat glands for more sweat while the warming sensation inhibits the generation of wet perception. In some implementations, when the temperature changes, the temperature responsive yarn/fabric areas can shrink generating compression to the adjacent body part while the warming oils generate warming sensation. The combined sensation of compression and warmth can increase or simulate the sensation of being hugged.

[0102] The warming oils can be plant oils extracted from plants such as black pepper, cardamom, clove bud, ginger, juniper berry, marjoram and rosemary, or any combination thereof.

[0103] Similarly, fragrant oils or fragrant chemicals extracted from these oils with or without encapsulation can also be coated together with moisture responsive materials and/or the temperature responsive material. When these responsive materials responding to moisture or temperature change, fragrant oils or fragrant chemicals diffuse out and generate smell/aroma around the wearer which can stimulate or calm the user. Similarly, skin absorbable nutrient can also be coated to the fabric together with moisture responsive materials, temperature responsive material and or the stress/strain responsive material such that when such materials respond to the applied stimuli (change in temperature, moisture or stress) nutrient can be released to be absorbed through the skin.

[0104] In one embodiment, the fabric can comprises at least one pigment which can change a colour as result of an stimuli (moisture, temperature or stress/strain).

[0105] The temperature response material as encompassed herein changes from being a hydrophilic with a high moisture regain level to a hydrophobic with a lower moisture regain level when a temperature in a neighboring climate increases above a lower critical temperature.

[0106] As described herein, temperature responsive materials such as polyurethane or polyurethane copolymer or composite can be coated on the back side of the fabric, and moisture responsive materials are coated on the face side of the fabric. When body temperature rise, the temperature responsive material expands to create big pores in its own structure and the fabric structure. The enlarged pore size improves the breathability of the fabric and the thermal convection in between the microenvironment and the ambient environment. While sweat is wicked out from the back side of the fabric to the face side of the fabric, the moisture responsive material responds to the moisture and expands also which further enlarges the pore size of the fabric and facilitates the evaporative cooling effect by wicking water around.

[0107] Alternatively, temperature responsive materials can also be first coated on the back side of the fabric, and moisture responsive materials are further coated on top of the temperature responsive material layer with a pattern or on the face side of the fabric. When body temperature rises, the temperature responsive material expands to create big pores in its own structure and the fabric structure. The enlarged pore size improves the breathability of the fabric and the thermal convection in between the microenvironment and the ambient environment. With sweat absorption, the moisture responsive material expands to further enlarge the pore size of the fabric while creating bulged structures to raise the fabric away from the body skin for improved thermal convection and reduced friction

[0108] Temperature responsive materials can also be alternatively first coated on the back side of the fabric or on the face side of the fabric, and moisture responsive materials are further coated on top of or adjacent to the thermal responsive material layer with a pattern.

[0109] The temperature response material as encompassed herein is a polyurethane, a polyurethane copolymer or a composition thereof, preferably a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and/or its derivatives and/or its copolymers and/or a combination thereof. The lower critical temperature of the temperature response mate is preferably in a range of 34 C.-40 C.

[0110] Responsive materials are printed onto targeted material by screen printing, jet printing, or additive manufacturing. The responsive materials can be in solution, melt or powder form for the printing process. Vacuum, heating or heating compression can be used to help the coating materials penetrate into/bond to the fabric. The responsive materials are responsive to environment stimuli such as moisture, heat, uv light or mechanical strains by change of its dimension, color or mechanical characteristics.

[0111] It is encompassed that the moisture response material is applied to the first yarn and the temperature responsive material is applied to the second yarn of the fabric layer. The first yarn can be a synthetic polymer, a biosynthetic polymer, a natural material based fiber such as a cellulose, alginate, proteins, chitosan, starch, a lignocellulose fiber, or a combination thereof. The second yarn can comprise a synthetic polymer, a biosynthetic polymer, a natural material based fiber such as a cellulose, alginate, proteins, chitosan, starch, a lignocellulose fiber or combination thereof. In implementations where the fabric comprises middle layer positioned between the face surface and the back surface of the fabric, such middle layer can comprise a third yarn where one or more stimuli responsive materials can be applied to with at least two responsive materials responding independently to environment stimuli. The third yarn can comprise a synthetic polymer, a biosynthetic polymer, a natural material based fiber such a cellulose, alginate, proteins, chitosan, starch, a lignocellulose fiber or combination thereof. In one embodiment, the middle layer can be a spacer fabric having spacer yarn and one or more stimuli responsive materials can be applied to the spacer yarn with at least two responsive materials responding independently to environment stimuli. The spacer yarn can comprise a synthetic polymer, a biosynthetic polymer, a natural material based fiber such a cellulose.

[0112] As encompassed herein, the fabric described can be used in any type of article of apparel including shirts, headwear, coats, jackets, pants, underwear, gloves, socks, and footwear, or outdoor exercise accessories such as sleeping bags, or home textiles such as pillow covers, mattress covers. The moisture responsive material can be applied in a pattern along pores formed in a fabric structure. FIG. 5 illustrates an article of apparel such as a shirt 100 where responsive materials are applied in various patterns such that one responsive material such as for example temperature responsive material T can be applied on the back surface while the moisture responsive material M can be applied on the face surface of the fabric creating first area(s) 110 of the fabric where the temperature responsive materials T are closer to the wearer body while the moisture responsive materials M are away from the wearer body. The article of apparel 100 can further comprise second area(s) 120 where the moisture responsive materials M are closer to the wearer body while the temperature responsive material T is away from the wearer. In some implementations, the first area(s) can comprise only moisture responsive materials M while the second area(s) can comprise only the temperature responsive materials T (or vice versa the first areas comprising thermal responsive materials T while the second areas comprising the moisture responsive materials M) creating the designed pattern. In some implementations, the moisture responsive materials areas and the temperature responsive materials areas can be adjacent one to another or can be spaced apart. The article of apparel 100 can further comprise third area(s) 130 where at least a strain/stress responsive material is applied alone or combined with moisture responsive material and/or temperature responsive material. The first, second and/or third area(s) of the patterned fabric structure of the shirt 100 can curl or roll up/down in response to the temperature, moisture and/or pressure rise improving air convection, breathability of the fabric thus providing fabric with improved temperature, moisture and compression/flexibility management.

[0113] The fabric encompassed is a weft or warp knitted fabric or a woven fabric or a nonwoven fabric or a braided fabric, 3D printed fabric or a laminated fabric. The stimuli responsive materials can be in a form of an ink which can be applied to the fabric surface or yarn surface by coating (e.g., spray coating), bonding, inkjet printing, screen printing. Alternatively, the stimuli responsive materials can be in a form a pallet that can be applied to the fabric surface or yarn surface by coating (e.g., spray coating) or printing (e.g., laser printing or 3D printing. Alternatively, the stimuli responsive materials can be in a form a membrane that can be applied to the fabric surface by lamination, bonding or printing (e.g., engraved screen printing or transfer printing. The fabric described herein allows flexibility in pattern design and pattern size (complex pattern with no repeated unit is possible). FIG. 4 illustrates some examples of possible patterns for the moisture responsive material and/or temperature responsive materials application on the fabric. The moisture responsive material and the temperature responsive material can be applied using the same design pattern or different design pattern. The design patterns illustrated in FIG. 4 are for illustration purposes and persons skilled in the art would understand that any other design pattern can be used to apply the moisture responsive material and/or the temperature responsive materials encompassed herein. Multiple coating materials can be applied with one coating process by use of multiple heads or adjusting the coating materials laid on the surface. It is also provided that the method of manufacture of the fabric described herein allows creating colored and multifunctional coatings in one coating process. High precision and high magnitude coating pattern structure with variable dimension such as the width and thickness of lines in the pattern can be applied as encompassed herein. The method of fabricating the fabric described herein allows to avoid application of heat and pressure on the surface of targeted material.

[0114] While the disclosure has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modifications and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth, and as follows in the scope of the appended claims.