Meet Dr. Vinoy Thomas: Kerala scientist who has developed self cooling clothes to beat the summer heat

Spring will soon be transitioning into the summer season, when people look for opportunities to slip into their favourite summer shirt and feel a cool breeze, even under the scorching sun.Amid the scorching heat, a brand new innovation has everyone talking, about - self-cooling clothes, a project is spearheaded by Dr. Vinoy Thomas.

Who is Dr. Vinoy Thomas?

In Alappuzha's sultry heat, a scientist from Kerala is bringing real cooling solutions. Dr. Vinoy Thomas, from Valakam in Kottarakkara, leads a team at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). They have created a new method to transform ordinary clothes into self-cooling fabrics.The team has applied for a patent, and their work was published in the American Chemical Society journal. This shows it is solid science, ready for everyday use, according to the American Chemical Society journal.

What is the naturally cooling summer fabric?

Forget inventing brand-new fabrics from scratch. According to the study, "The researchers have not invented an entirely new cooling fabric. Instead, they have developed a method to convert existing textiles into heat-regulating materials".

They use two smart techniques, including electrospinning to spread boron nitride nanoparticles evenly across the cloth, and low-temperature plasma (LTP) treatment to embed silicon oxide nanoparticles right into the stitching threads.These nanoparticles are not just normal, they're heat champions. Boron nitride helps reduce high temperatures, while silicon oxide adds an extra insulation. Together, they form a tough coating that helps reduce the heat buildup.

Tests showed coated clothes dropping an outside temp of 35°C by a massive 15°C, down to a comfy 20°C. "The researchers say the method can be applied to any type of fabric".

Is the fabric durable?

The coating stays effective after five to eight washes without messing with the fabric's feel or look. Performance dips a bit over time, so the team suggests a double-layer coat for longer life. "Tests showed that the coating remains effective even after five to eight washes, without altering the fabric’s basic characteristics," confirms the study.Dr. Thomas's approach is cheaper and smarter, upgrading what you already own. Commercial rollout awaits patent approval, but it's set to hit markets soon