Researchers at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia have unveiled a cooling fabric built with nanodiamonds. The findings appear in the journal Polymers for Advanced Technologies (PAT).
Nanodiamonds are tiny artificial carbon crystals that typically range from 1 to 10 nanometers in size. Their minuscule scale and unique properties make them appealing for advanced textiles, especially when the goal is to manage heat and light more effectively in everyday clothing.
The team centered their efforts on cotton as a base material. They applied a coating by first applying an adhesive and then treating the fabric with a polymer solution that contains nanodiamond particles, polyurethane, and a solvent. Through an electrostatic deposition process, a delicate nanofiber network formed across the textile surface. This interconnected lattice enhances heat transfer and creates pathways that influence how heat is absorbed, stored, and released from the fabric.
Laboratory tests showed that garments treated in this way can passively shed heat, cooling the wearer by roughly 2 to 3 degrees Celsius under typical warm-weather conditions. The elevated thermal conductivity of nanodiamonds helps disperse heat away from the body, while the coating also strengthens UV resistance. The result is a fabric that feels cooler in the sun and offers improved protection from ultraviolet radiation, which is especially valuable for summer apparel in both Canada and the United States where sun exposure varies across seasons.
Looking ahead, researchers anticipate that clothing and other technologically enhanced textiles could contribute to meaningful energy savings. If such textiles reduce the need for air conditioning during hot periods, they could cut energy use in residential and commercial spaces by a notable margin, potentially in the 20-30% range in sustained warm spells. That means cooler indoor environments with lower energy bills and a smaller carbon footprint, assuming widespread adoption and standardization of production methods.
One notable advantage highlighted by the researchers is economic viability. Unlike traditional, natural diamonds, nanodiamonds can be produced at lower costs and, intriguingly, can be generated from recycled carbon waste streams. This alignment with sustainable materials makes the technology more attractive for mass-market textiles while supporting circular economy goals common in North America and beyond.
Another milestone in this line of work involves the broader field of smart or responsive skins for devices and wearables. Prior efforts have explored flexible surfaces that can be printed or formed into tactile, sensor-equipped layers. In some cases, engineers have demonstrated electronic skins that can be produced with additive manufacturing techniques, such as 3D printing, enabling rapid prototyping and customization for medical, industrial, or consumer applications. The current nanodiamond-coated fabrics sit alongside these innovations as a practical step toward seamlessly integrating advanced thermal management into everyday clothing.
As the technology continues to mature, fashion and textile researchers in Canada and the United States are closely watching how nanodiamond-enhanced fabrics perform in real-world conditions, including varied humidity, activity levels, and outdoor environments. The potential benefits extend beyond comfort; improved heat management and UV protection can enhance wearer safety and reduce the need for artificial cooling, which aligns with energy-conscious design trends in North American markets. Industry observers note that collaboration between material science, textile engineering, and consumer product design will be essential to translate laboratory results into durable, affordable garments and gear for daily life and outdoor activities.