阅读说明：本技术 可控液体传输材料、系统及其制备方法 (Controllable liquid transmission material, system and preparation method thereof ) 是由 寿大华 范金土 邹超 顾宇恒 于 2021-06-07 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种可控液体传输材料,其中该材料的第一区域被处理为具有疏水性,而具有不同形状的局部接触或完全分开的多个第二区域则被处理为具有用于被动可控液体传输的梯度或不同润湿性和/或孔径,和/或与用于由外力(诸如电渗力或超声波震荡)驱动的主动可控液体传输的智能材料结合,从而允许液体例如汗液的有效且可控的定向传输,阻挡外部液体,减少粘着,并且保持透气和干爽。本发明还涉及一种可控液体传输系统,其包括本发明所述的可控液体传输材料作为液体传输层以及透气、防水的防护层。本发明还涉及制备本发明所述可控液体传输材料的方法。(The present invention relates to a controllable liquid transport material, wherein a first area of the material is treated to be hydrophobic, while a plurality of second areas with different shapes, locally contacting or completely separated, are treated to have a gradient or different wettability and/or pore size for passive controllable liquid transport and/or in combination with a smart material for actively controllable liquid transport driven by an external force, such as electro-osmotic force or ultrasonic oscillation, allowing an efficient and controllable directional transport of liquid, e.g. sweat, blocking external liquid, reducing sticking, and remaining breathable and dry. The invention also relates to a controllable liquid transmission system which comprises the controllable liquid transmission material as a liquid transmission layer and an air-permeable and waterproof protective layer. The invention also relates to a method for preparing the controllable liquid transmission material.)

1. A controllable liquid transport material comprising a hydrophobic first region and one or more second regions, wherein the second regions comprise a first surface and a second surface, characterized in that:

the wettability of the first surface is less than the wettability of the second surface; and is

The first surface has an area of at least 1mm²(ii) a And/or the area of the second surface is at least 1mm²。

2. The controllable liquid transfer material of claim 1, obtained by one or more methods selected from the group consisting of:

a) obtaining a hydrophobic material having a first region and a second region by subjecting the material to a hydrophilic treatment, wherein optionally the wettability of the first surface of the second region is less than the wettability of the second surface and/or the area of the first surface and/or second surface is obtained by controlling the hydrophilic treatment;

b) obtaining a hydrophilic material having said first and second regions by subjecting said material to a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic treatment, respectively, wherein optionally the wettability of said first surface of said second region is made less than the wettability of said second surface and/or the area of said first and/or second surface is obtained by controlling said hydrophilic treatment;

c) weaving the controllable liquid transport material with yarns having periodically distributed hydrophobic and hydrophilic sections, optionally by a process comprising knitting, weaving, sewing or embroidering, such that the first region is formed by the hydrophobic section and the second region is formed by the hydrophilic section, wherein optionally the wettability of the first surface of the second region is less than the wettability of the second surface and/or the area of the first and/or second surface is obtained by adjusting the yarn arrangement density and/or yarn size; or

d) Weaving the controllable liquid transport material with hydrophobic yarns and hydrophilic yarns, optionally by a process comprising knitting, weaving, sewing or embroidering, to form the first region from the hydrophobic yarns and the hydrophilic yarns to form the second region, wherein optionally the wettability of the first surface of the second region is less than the wettability of the second surface and/or the area of the first surface and/or second surface is obtained by adjusting the yarn arrangement density and/or yarn size.

3. The controllable liquid transport material of claim 1, wherein the material comprises contiguous first and second layers, wherein the first layer is hydrophobic and the second layer comprises the hydrophobic first region and the one or more second regions.

4. A controllable liquid transfer material according to claim 3, wherein the first layer is formed from hydrophobic yarn and the second layer is formed by one or more of the methods a) -d) as defined in claim 2.

5. A controllable liquid transfer material according to claim 3, wherein

The controllable liquid transfer material is woven from hydrophilic yarns and hydrophobic yarns by plating such that the hydrophobic yarns constitute the first layer and the hydrophilic yarns constitute the second layer, wherein the second layer has the first region and the second region by hydrophobic treatment and hydrophilic treatment, respectively; or

The controllable liquid transport material is woven from hydrophobic yarns and yarns having hydrophobic and hydrophilic sections in a periodic distribution by utilizing a plating process such that the hydrophobic yarns constitute the first layer and the yarns having hydrophobic and hydrophilic sections in a periodic distribution constitute the second layer.

6. The controllable liquid transport material of any one of claims 1-5, wherein wettability from the first surface to the second surface is graded; and/or

The controllable liquid transport material comprises a plurality of second regions, and the plurality of second regions are partially in contact or completely separated.

7. A controllable liquid transport material comprising a hydrophobic first region and one or more second regions, wherein the second regions comprise a first surface and a second surface, characterized in that:

the second region contains a smart material configured to enable directional transport of the liquid from the first surface to the second surface when desired.

8. The controllable liquid transfer material of claim 7, wherein the smart material is a temperature sensitive material coated on the second surface, whereby when the ambient temperature reaches a threshold temperature, the second surface changes from a hydrophobic surface to a hydrophilic surface, thereby allowing directional transfer of liquid from the first surface to the second surface.

9. A controllable liquid transfer material according to claim 8, wherein the material is further provided with a thermally conductive wire in contact with the second region, optionally an electrical wire or coated with an electrically conductive coating thereon or in combination with a heat sensing element, whereby when power is switched on the temperature sensitive material is heated and thereby becomes hydrophilic.

10. A controllable liquid transport material according to claim 7, wherein the second region is hydrophilic and the first and second surfaces are provided with a first and second electrode respectively, liquid being directed to flow from the first surface to the second surface when the first electrode is connected to the negative pole of a power supply and the second electrode is connected to the positive pole of the power supply.

11. A controllable liquid transport material according to any of claims 7-10, wherein the second region is hydrophilic and the second surface is accompanied by an ultrasonically oscillating nebulizing patch configured to release liquid transported to the second surface to the air when the first surface transports liquid to the second surface, thereby causing liquid to continue to flow from the first surface to the second surface.

12. A controllable liquid transport material comprising a hydrophobic first region and one or more second regions, wherein the second regions have a first surface and a second surface,

wherein the second region comprises a channel through the controllable liquid transport material and is hydrophilic, the channel defining a first location, a first surface area, and/or a first aperture on the first surface, and the channel defining a second location, a second surface area, and/or a second aperture on the second surface, wherein: (1) in use, the first position is higher than the second position or the first position and the second position are equal or substantially equal in height; and/or (2) the first aperture is larger than the second aperture.

13. A controllable liquid transfer material according to claim 12, wherein the first surface area is at least 1mm²And/or, the second surface area is at least 1mm²(ii) a Alternatively, the first pore size is about 0.2-8000 μm, and/or the second pore size is about 0.1-2000 μm.

14. A controllable liquid transport material as claimed in claim 12 wherein in use, the first position is higher than the second position or the first and second positions are equal or substantially equal in height and the channel is a zigzag, trapezoidal, tapered or deformed zigzag wherein optionally the deformed zigzag is configured such that the angle between the upper and lower short transverse and intermediate lines is a right or obtuse angle.

15. The controllable liquid transport material of claim 12, wherein the controllable liquid transport material is woven by a weaving method, wherein the channels have different pore sizes in thickness by adjusting the arrangement density of yarns and/or the yarn size, and wherein the yarns forming the channels are hydrophilic or treated to be hydrophilic.

16. The controllable liquid transport material of any of claims 7-15, wherein the controllable liquid transport material comprises a plurality of second regions, and the plurality of second regions are partially in contact or completely separated.

17. A controllable liquid transfer system comprising a first fibrous electrode layer as an inner layer, a second fibrous electrode layer as an outer layer, a porous nanofibrous membrane layer as an intermediate layer disposed between the inner and outer layers, and optionally at least two porous adhesive layers on either side of the intermediate layer,

wherein the second fibrous electrode layer comprises a first region and a hydrophilic second region, wherein the second region comprises a first surface and a second surface, and the intermediate layer has submicron-sized pore sizes.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the fibrous electrode layer is prepared by coating conductive polymer on fibers, optionally the first fibrous electrode layer and the second fibrous electrode layer are comprised of electrode materials selected from the group consisting of: carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes, graphene, metals, or any combination thereof.

19. The system of claim 17 or 18, wherein the first surface has an area of at least 1mm²And/orThe area of the second surface is at least 1mm²(ii) a And/or

Wherein the second fibrous electrode layer comprises a plurality of second regions, and the plurality of second regions are partially in contact or completely separated.

20. The controllable liquid transport material of any one of claims 1-16 or the system of any one of claims 17-19, wherein the second region has a shape selected from the group consisting of: rectangular, triangular, oval, diamond, circular, square, Y-shaped, + shaped, tree-shaped, mesh, zigzag, or a variation thereof, or any combination thereof.

21. The controllable liquid transfer material of any of claims 1-16 or the system of any of claims 17-19, wherein said controllable liquid transfer material is made of a natural material and/or a synthetic material, wherein optionally said natural material is selected from cotton, wool, silk, flax, bamboo fiber or any combination thereof; and/or, the synthetic material is selected from: teflon, polypropylene, polyester, chinlon, acrylon, spandex, nylon, or any combination thereof.

22. A controlled liquid transfer article comprising an inner layer, an outer layer, an intermediate layer disposed between the outer and inner layers, and optionally at least two porous adhesive layers disposed on either side of the intermediate layer, wherein the inner layer is comprised of the controlled liquid transfer material of any one of claims 1-16 and 20-21 or the system of any one of claims 17-21, the outer layer is comprised of a breathable, water resistant material, and the intermediate layer is hydrophobic and has hollow channels disposed thereon.

23. The article of claim 22, wherein the article further comprises a sealing layer at the edges of the inner layer, intermediate layer, outer layer, and porous adhesive layer, the sealing layer configured to collect accumulated liquid in the article or prevent accumulated liquid from falling out of the article when the article is in use.

24. An article of manufacture comprised of the controllable liquid transport material of any one of claims 1-16 and 20-21 or the system of any one of claims 17-21 or the controllable liquid transport article of claim 22 or 23, optionally the article of manufacture comprises a towel, a handkerchief, a sport suit, bedding, a sportswear, a casual coat, a fire protective suit, a winter jacket, a protective fabric, a barrier suit, a military suit, an industrial work suit, an oil-water separator, a wound dressing, a building material, a tent, a mask, a respirator, a seawater desalination device, or a microfluidic device.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to a controllable liquid transfer material, a controllable liquid transfer system, and methods of making the same.

Background

The human body can lower the temperature by sweating. The evaporation of liquid sweat absorbs heat from the body and lowers the skin temperature. However, wearing a wet and saturated clothing fabric is extremely unpleasant when the wearer sweats too much. When excessive sweat cannot be removed effectively, saturated absorption of sweat causes the garment fabric to become heavy and cling to the body skin, thereby restricting body movement and greatly reducing breathability. As a result, the wearer may feel damp and cold after the activity has stopped, and thus suffer from a rear-chilling effect (after-chilling effect). In addition, external liquids penetrating fabrics and clothing can cause discomfort and even harmful effects to the human body. For example, the thermal conductivity of firefighter turnout gear increases significantly with the absorption of external fluids, thereby increasing the risk of skin burns. Medical staff are subjected to high working pressures, to extensive perspiration and discomfort and heat stress caused by condensation of perspiration vapor on the skin, and may cause bacterial or viral infections when they pull their clothing for cooling and comfort. Outdoor enthusiasts or athletes often sweat much even in cold environments; however, damp and saturated clothing fabrics can be at a high risk of frostbite due to their greatly reduced thermal insulation.

The moisture transport capacity of textile materials, such as fabrics, is very important to the function and comfort of the wearer. However, current moisture management fabrics are challenging to effectively remove and transport excess liquid perspiration. The maximum sweating rate of adult reaches 2-4L/hr or 10-14L/day (10-15 g/min. m)²)^[1-3]. Fabrics made from water-absorbing natural fibers, such as wool and cotton, can absorb small amounts of liquid or water vapor from perspiration, thereby keeping the body skin dry at low perspiration rates. However, when the wearer is highly active, a large amount of sweat is generated, thereby causing the saturated fabric to become heavy and sticky. In addition to the discomfort caused by the large amount of sweat, such fabrics cannot prevent the penetration and absorption of external liquids (such as rain or toxic liquids), whichThese external liquids can wet the skin and endanger the health of the wearer. Because synthetic fibers (such as nylon and polyester fibers) have low water retention, they are widely used in casual and athletic garments. These synthetic fabrics allow rapid wicking and drying based on capillary evaporation. For example, Coolmax fibers with longitudinal grooves have 20% more surface area than round fibers, increasing evaporation sites for drying and capillary pressure for wicking^[4]. However, these fabrics do not prevent the penetration of external liquids. Breathable protective fabrics have been developed (such as Gore-Tex) that allow free evaporation of moisture, but prevent liquid penetration and resist cold wind, since the fabric pores are between the size of the liquid and gaseous molecules of water. However, the wearer still finds it challenging to have liquid sweat transported effectively away from the skin side, as the fabric is waterproof to liquid fluid from either side.

More recently, researchers have developed web materials with thickness wettability gradients or differences in which liquid tends to flow from the hydrophobic side to the hydrophilic side due to differential capillary pressure, while liquid flow from the opposite side is blocked^[5-11]. Double-layer nanofiber membranes consisting of hydrophobic and hydrophilic layers have also been fabricated, which exhibit similar directional liquid transport properties^[12-16]. Liquid flow direction and rate can also be controlled based on varying pore size throughout the thickness of the fabric^[17-23]. However, liquids can still be absorbed by the hydrophilic layer in those fabrics, greatly increasing the fabric weight, while the breathability of the saturated fabric is reduced. Furthermore, the efficiency of the transfer of sweat in such saturated fabrics is reduced because saturated fabrics remove sweat in the form of sweat evaporation rather than liquid transport. To reduce the sticking effect, the hydrophobic fabric is treated as punctiform areas with a wettability gradient^[24]. However, the transfer efficiency is limited by insufficient contact area with liquid water and gravity water pressure (or water column height).

Thus, existing hygroscopic fast-drying fabrics will be heavy, sticky and air impermeable when saturated with sweat; moreover, the existing hydroscopic and fast dry fabrics can not directionally transmit liquid and can not block external liquid such as rainwater; the liquid transfer cannot be achieved with current breathable protective fabrics, and liquid transfer by evaporation is not an effective way; existing fabrics transport liquid by passive capillary action, which is sometimes inefficient and uncontrollable compared to active driving action (such as low voltage and ultrasonic oscillations).

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to controllable liquid transport materials (e.g. textile materials, e.g. fabrics) in which a first region (e.g. a main region of the material) of the material is treated to be hydrophobic and a second region (e.g. a localised region of the material) of a discrete distribution of different shape is treated to have a gradient wettability or different wettability and/or pore size for passive controllable liquid transport and/or in combination with a smart material for active controllable liquid transport driven by an external force such as electro-osmotic force or ultrasonic oscillation, thereby allowing effective and controllable directional transport of sweat, blocking external liquids, reducing stickiness, and maintaining breathability and dryness.

The present invention provides a controllable liquid transport material (e.g., a textile material, such as a fabric) that controls the direction and speed of liquid transport through the fabric. The invention also provides a method of manufacturing a controllable liquid transport material comprising treating a first region of the material to be hydrophobic and treating a second region of a discrete distribution having a different shape to have a gradient or different wettability and/or pore size for passive controllable liquid transport and/or in combination with a smart material for active controllable liquid transport driven by an external force such as electroosmotic force and/or ultrasonic oscillation. The controllable liquid transmission material or the preparation method thereof can realize the controllable transmission of liquid in the material.

Controllable liquid transport fabrics allow for passive directional liquid transport by capillary action and active regulation by external stimuli such as voltage, temperature and/or ultrasonic oscillations.

Controllable liquid transfer fabrics allow for directional liquid transfer while blocking and repelling external liquids, reducing tackiness, and increasing breathability.

A low voltage electric field may be applied across the fabric to actively control liquid transport.

Materials having a hydrophobic first region and a discretely distributed second region of different shapes having a gradient or different wettability and/or pore size, such as fabrics, can be achieved by textile processing methods and chemical treatment of existing commercial fabrics.

The controllable liquid transport materials of the present invention (e.g., textile materials such as fabrics) can be covered and laminated with a breathable protective shell layer for liquid transport and collection, thereby remaining breathable and waterproof.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a controllable liquid transport material comprising a hydrophobic first region and one or more second regions, wherein the second regions comprise a first surface and a second surface, characterised in that:

the wettability of the first surface is less than the wettability of the second surface; and is

The first surface has an area of at least 1mm²(ii) a And/or the area of the second surface is at least 1mm²。

In some embodiments, the controllable liquid transport material is obtained by one or more methods selected from the group consisting of:

a) obtaining a hydrophobic material having said first and second regions by subjecting said material to a hydrophilic treatment (such as plasma, screen, spray, etc.), wherein optionally the wettability of said first surface of said second region is less than the wettability of said second surface and/or the area of said first and/or second surface is obtained by controlling said hydrophilic treatment;

b) obtaining a hydrophilic material having said first and second regions by subjecting said material to a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic treatment, respectively, wherein optionally the wettability of said first surface of said second region is made less than the wettability of said second surface and/or the area of said first and/or second surface is obtained by controlling said hydrophilic treatment;

c) weaving the controllable liquid transport material with yarns having periodically distributed hydrophobic and hydrophilic sections, optionally by a process comprising knitting (such as plaiting, intarsia, jacquard), weaving, sewing or embroidering, such that the hydrophobic sections form the first regions and the hydrophilic sections form the second regions, wherein optionally the wettability of the first surface of the second regions is less than the wettability of the second surface and/or the area of the first and/or second surface is obtained by adjusting the yarn arrangement density and/or yarn size; or

d) Optionally weaving the controllable liquid transport material with hydrophobic yarns and hydrophilic yarns by a process comprising knitting (such as plaiting, intarsia, jacquard), weaving, sewing or embroidering, thereby forming the first region from the hydrophobic yarns and the hydrophilic yarns forming the second region, wherein optionally the wettability of the first surface of the second region is less than the wettability of the second surface and/or the area of the first surface and/or second surface is obtained by adjusting the yarn arrangement density and/or yarn size of the yarns.

In some embodiments, the controllable liquid transport material comprises a first layer and a second layer in abutment, wherein the first layer is hydrophobic and the second layer comprises the hydrophobic first region and the one or more second regions. In some embodiments, the first layer is formed from a hydrophobic yarn and the second layer is formed by one or more of methods a) -d) as defined in the above embodiments.

In some embodiments where the controllable liquid transport material comprises contiguous first and second layers,

wherein the controllable liquid-transmitting material is woven from hydrophilic yarns and hydrophobic yarns by using a plating process such that the hydrophobic yarns constitute the first layer and the hydrophilic yarns constitute the second layer, wherein the second layer has the first region and the second region by hydrophobic treatment and hydrophilic treatment, respectively; or

The controllable liquid transport material is woven from hydrophobic yarns and yarns having hydrophobic and hydrophilic sections in a periodic distribution by utilizing a plating process such that the hydrophobic yarns constitute the first layer and the yarns having hydrophobic and hydrophilic sections in a periodic distribution constitute the second layer.

In some embodiments, wherein the wettability from the first surface to the second surface varies in a gradient; and/or the controllable liquid transport material comprises a plurality of second regions, and the plurality of second regions are partially in contact or completely separated.

A second aspect of the invention provides a controllable liquid transport material comprising a hydrophobic first region and one or more second regions, wherein the second regions comprise a first surface and a second surface, characterised in that:

the second region contains a smart material configured to enable directional transport of the liquid from the first surface to the second surface when desired.

In some embodiments, the smart material is a temperature sensitive material coated on the second surface, whereby when the ambient temperature reaches a threshold temperature, the second surface changes from a hydrophobic surface to a hydrophilic surface, thereby allowing directional transport of liquid from the first surface to the second surface. In some embodiments, the material is further provided with a thermally conductive wire in contact with the second region, optionally an electrical wire or coated with an electrically conductive coating thereon or combined with a heat sensing element, whereby, when power is turned on, the temperature sensitive material is heated to become hydrophilic.

In some embodiments, the second region is hydrophilic and the first and second surfaces are provided with a first and second electrode, respectively, and liquid is directed to flow from the first surface to the second surface when the first electrode is connected to a negative pole of a power source and the second electrode is connected to a positive pole of the power source.

In some embodiments, the second region is hydrophilic and the second surface has attached to it an ultrasonically oscillating atomization sheet configured to release liquid delivered to the second surface to the air when the first surface delivers liquid to the second surface, thereby directing a continuous flow of liquid from the first surface to the second surface.

A third aspect of the invention provides a controllable liquid transport material comprising a hydrophobic first region and one or more second regions, wherein the second regions have a first surface and a second surface,

wherein the second region comprises a channel through the controllable liquid transport material and is hydrophilic, the channel defining a first location, a first surface area, and/or a first aperture on the first surface, and the channel defining a second location, a second surface area, and/or a second aperture on the second surface, wherein: (1) in use, the first position is higher than the second position or the first position and the second position are equal or substantially equal in height; and/or (2) the first pore size is larger than the second pore size;

in some embodiments, the first surface area is at least 1mm²And/or, the second surface area is at least 1mm²(ii) a Alternatively, the first pore size is about 0.2-8000 μm, and/or the second pore size is about 0.1-2000 μm.

In some embodiments, wherein in use, the first position is higher than the second position or the first position and the second position are equal or substantially equal in height, and the channel is zigzag, trapezoidal, tapered or deformed zigzag. Optionally, the deformed zigzag is configured such that the angle between the upper and lower short bars and the middle connecting line is a right angle or an obtuse angle.

In some embodiments, the controllable liquid transport material is woven by a weaving process, wherein the first pore size is larger than the second pore size, wherein the channels have different pore sizes in thickness by adjusting the arrangement density of the yarns and/or the yarn size, and wherein the yarns forming the channels are hydrophilic or treated to be hydrophilic.

In some embodiments, wherein the controllable liquid transport material comprises a plurality of second regions, and the plurality of second regions are partially in contact or completely separated.

A fourth aspect of the invention provides a controllable liquid transfer system comprising a first fibrous electrode layer as an inner layer, a second fibrous electrode layer as an outer layer, a porous nanofibrous membrane layer as an intermediate layer disposed between the inner and outer layers, and optionally at least two porous adhesive layers on either side of the intermediate layer, wherein the second fibrous electrode layer comprises a first region and a hydrophilic second region, wherein the second region comprises a first surface and a second surface, and the intermediate layer has a pore size in the sub-micron range.

In some embodiments, the fibrous electrode layer is prepared by coating a conductive polymer on the fibers. Optionally, the first fibrous electrode layer and the second fibrous electrode layer are comprised of an electrode material selected from the group consisting of: carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes, graphene, metals, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, wherein the first surface has an area of at least 1mm²And/or the area of the second surface is at least 1mm²(ii) a And/or wherein the second fibrous electrode layer comprises a plurality of second regions, and the plurality of second regions are partially in contact or completely separated.

In certain embodiments of the above aspects, the second region in the controllable liquid transport material or system has a shape selected from the group consisting of: rectangular, triangular, oval, diamond, circular, square, Y-shaped, + shaped, tree-shaped, mesh, zigzag, or a variation thereof, or any combination thereof.

In certain embodiments of each of the above aspects, the controllable liquid transport material is made of natural and/or synthetic materials. Optionally, the natural material is selected from cotton, wool, silk, flax, bamboo fiber, or any combination thereof; and/or, the synthetic material is selected from: teflon, polypropylene, polyester, chinlon, acrylon, spandex, nylon, or any combination thereof.

In a fifth aspect the present invention provides a controllable liquid transfer article comprising an inner layer, an outer layer, an intermediate layer disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer, and optionally at least two porous adhesive layers disposed on either side of the intermediate layer, wherein the inner layer is comprised of a controllable liquid transfer material or system according to any of the above aspects, the outer layer is comprised of a breathable, water resistant material, and the intermediate layer is hydrophobic and has hollow channels disposed thereon.

In some embodiments, the article further comprises a sealing layer at the edges of the inner layer, intermediate layer, outer layer, and porous adhesive layer, the sealing layer configured to collect accumulated liquid in the article or prevent accumulated liquid from falling off the article when the article is in use.

A sixth aspect of the invention provides an article of manufacture comprising a controllable liquid transport material, article or system as described in any of the embodiments of the aspects above. Optionally, the article comprises a towel, a handkerchief, a sports protector, bedding, sports wear, casual wear, fire protection clothing, winter jacket, protective fabric, isolation gown, military apparel, industrial work wear, oil and water separator, wound dressing, or microfluidic device.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following description.

Drawings

Examples of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be appreciated that various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as described above.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic of the construction of a controllable liquid transfer fabric.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic of a manufacturing process for a controllable liquid transfer fabric having different wettability in second areas having different shapes. As shown, the fabric was first impregnated with octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) and then plasma treated to initiate polymerization of D4, thereby rendering the fabric hydrophobic; next, both sides of the fabric are respectively masked with two molds with hollow patterns (i.e., the regions of the fabric corresponding to the patterns are not masked by the molds), and then plasma etching is performed thereon, thereby generating local regions having wettability, wherein the wettability of the local regions can be controlled by controlling the scanning rate and the exposure time of the plasma.

FIG. 3 shows: (a) for plasma etching, the contact angle of the exposed side and the unexposed side of the fabric; (b) dynamic change in contact angle of plasma treated fabric at a plasma scan speed of 0.1 mm/s.

Figure 4 shows SEM images of plasma etch treated cotton fabric: (a) the unexposed side; (b) an exposed side at a scan speed of 0.5mm/s and (c) an exposed side at a scan speed of 0.1 mm/s; and (D) FTIR spectra of D4, cotton fabric and D4 treated cotton fabric (wherein the three curves represent, from top to bottom, D4, cotton and D4 treated cotton fabric, respectively), (e) FTIR spectra of D4 treated cotton fabric before and after plasma etching (wherein the upper curve represents before plasma etching and the lower curve represents after plasma etching).

Fig. 5 shows the directional liquid transfer through a controllable liquid transfer fabric placed obliquely, with the water droplets supplied from the skin side and the front side, respectively.

FIG. 6 shows: directional liquid transfer through a horizontally disposed controllable liquid transfer fabric with water droplets supplied from (a) the skin side (upper) and (b) the front side (lower), respectively; (c) a schematic of a water droplet on the surface of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions; (d) a schematic of the water column on top of the fabric in the front-to-skin side direction; (e) moisture Management Tester (MMT) liquid absorption measurements on both sides of the fabric; (f) the moisture content of both sides of the liquid transport fabric in MMT can be controlled.

Figure 7 shows the pull force required to move the fabric over simulated sweaty skin.

Fig. 8 shows a schematic of a manufacturing process for making a controllable liquid transfer fabric having different wettabilities in the second zone using sustainable materials and methods. As shown, cotton fabric was first impregnated with D4; next, both sides of the fabric were covered with two molds (i.e., covering the local area and exposing the main area), respectively, which were plasma treated to induce polymerization of D4, thereby making the main area hydrophobic; the fabric side mold is then removed and the plasma treatment induces D4 polymerization to produce a differential wettability across the thickness of the localized area, wherein the amount of wettability of the localized area can be controlled by controlling the duration of the plasma treatment.

Fig. 9 shows the construction of a waterproof protective fabric with controllable liquid transport properties. The textile system comprises an inner layer (consisting of the controllable liquid transport textile of the invention), an intermediate layer (being a spacing and support layer) and an outer layer (consisting of a waterproof, breathable textile), wherein the intermediate layer is arranged between the inner and outer layers and is hydrophobic and provided with channels for liquid molecules to pass through; optionally, the fabric system further comprises a first nonwoven adhesive backing disposed between the outer layer and the intermediate layer and a second nonwoven adhesive backing disposed between the inner layer and the intermediate layer for bonding the inner layer, the intermediate layer and the outer layer together.

Fig. 10 shows the directional liquid transfer through a controlled liquid transfer waterproof protective fabric placed obliquely in the case of water droplets supplied from the skin side and the front side, respectively.

Fig. 11 shows a schematic of the construction of a controlled liquid transport waterproof protective fabric with sealed boundaries for sweat collection.

Fig. 12 shows the temperature of the protective fabric on the skin stimulated with air flow.

Fig. 13 shows the water vapor transmission rates of the protective fabric system, Gore-Tex waterproof layer, controlled liquid transfer cotton fabric and untreated cotton fabric (which correspond to the fourth, third, second and first columns in the figure, respectively).

Fig. 14 shows a schematic of a method of making a controllable liquid transport fabric with locally completely hydrophilic channels. As shown, the fabric is first masked with two 3D printing dies with controllable patterns (the patterns correspond to local areas, i.e., local areas)Masked while the main area is not masked) and then coated with hydrophobic TiO₂The solution is sprayed.

FIG. 15 is a side view showing the spontaneous liquid supply and removal thereof through a controllable liquid transport fabric having localized hydrophilic regions.

Fig. 16 shows a schematic of the internal structure of a controllable liquid transport fabric with localized hydrophilic regions having long channels within the fabric.

FIG. 17 shows: (a) manufacturing a fabric by plating, the front and back sides of the fabric being composed of yarns of different properties; (b) a schematic representation of a knitted fabric that is hydrophilic on one side and hydrophobic on the other; (c) schematic representation of a knitted fabric with localized regions (i.e., second regions) of different shapes and having different wettabilities across the thickness.

Fig. 18 shows the directional liquid transfer through a controllable liquid transfer fabric placed obliquely in case of feeding water droplets from the skin side.

Figure 19 shows the liquid transport rate of a knitted fabric (prepared in example 4) placed on simulated sweaty skin.

Fig. 20 shows the values of (a) instantaneous contact temperature sensing criteria (Q-max), (b) thermal conductivity and (c) temperature between a cotton fabric, a knit fabric with asymmetric wettability in thickness and a controlled liquid transfer knit fabric that are in contact with a given liquid source.

Fig. 21 shows a schematic of the structure of a controllable liquid transfer fabric system with different pore sizes in localized areas.

Fig. 22 shows a schematic of the structure of a controllable liquid transport fabric system driven by voltage to transport liquid.

Figure 23 shows the liquid transfer from the inside to the outside of the controllable liquid transfer fabric described in example 6 under the influence of electroosmotic flow or electroosmotic flow stored in the fabric when power is off.

Figure 24 shows the penetration pressure of the water column required to penetrate the fabric by the liquid on the outside of the controlled liquid transport fabric described in example 6 with the power on and off.

Fig. 25 shows (a) a structure of a temperature-sensitive fabric partially (i.e., a second area) coated with a temperature-sensitive material; and (b) a side view of a temperature sensitive fabric having thermally conductive wires in the yarns.

Fig. 26 shows a schematic flow diagram of a method of making a controllable liquid transfer fabric of the present invention.

Figure 27 shows a schematic of the structure of a controllable liquid transport fabric system that drives liquid transport by ultrasonic oscillation.

Detailed Description

In the present invention, we propose a novel controllable liquid transfer fabric and a method of making the same (fig. 1). A first area of the fabric is treated to be hydrophobic and a plurality of discretely distributed second areas of different shapes are treated to have a gradient or different wettability and/or pore size for passive controllable liquid transport and/or in combination with a smart material for active controllable liquid transport driven by an external force, such as electro-osmotic force or ultrasonic oscillation. Preferably, the first regions are continuously distributed. The shape and/or pattern of the second region may comprise a rectangle, triangle, oval, diamond, circle, square, Y-shape, + shape, tree, mesh, zigzag, or the like, or any combination thereof. The fabric of the present invention allows for efficient and controlled directional transport of liquids (e.g., perspiration), blocks external liquids, reduces stickiness, and remains breathable and dry. More specifically, the discretely distributed second regions exhibit a gradient or different wettability or pore size in thickness, wherein the liquid continuously transfers from the inner side to the outer side and then accumulates, thereby aggregating into larger droplets until they roll off under the synergistic effect of capillary and gravitational forces. Also, the external liquid is blocked on the opposite side and tends to roll off along the outer surface of the fabric. The hydrophobicity of the surrounding region (i.e., the first region) and the different wettability of the second region may be configured by plasma modification, plasma etching, hydrophobic spray coating, UV treatment, and/or programmed knitting, weaving, or sewing using hydrophilic and hydrophobic yarns. The shape of the second region can be controlled by using a mold made of tape or 3D printing mold during the wettability treatment and based on programmed weaving, knitting or sewing using periodic variations in wettability of hydrophilic and hydrophobic yarns. Furthermore, by varying the yarn density in the thickness direction, the pore size can be varied throughout the thickness, thereby facilitating controlled liquid transport with the wettability treatment described above. In addition to passive fluid transport, external stimuli (e.g., temperature, voltage, and ultrasonic oscillations) can be applied to actively control fluid transport. When fabrics are coated with temperature responsive materials (e.g., they change from hydrophobic to hydrophilic upon heating) and the fabrics are also combined with active heating elements (e.g., heat wires or inks), wettability can change with temperature. The liquid can also be controlled by a combination of electroosmotic and capillary forces, by adding electrodes to the textile system, especially in the second area, using on, off, acceleration, deceleration and reverse modes.

In general, liquid transport can be passive, driven by capillary and gravitational forces, but also active, driven by voltage or temperature or ultrasonic oscillations. The base fabric (i.e., substrate) can be made of natural materials such as cotton, wool, silk, and/or linen, as well as synthetic materials such as polyester and/or nylon (fig. 26). The yarns from which the fabric is made may also be made of natural materials such as cotton, wool, silk and/or linen, or of synthetic materials such as polyester and/or nylon. Methods of making fabrics using yarns or fibers include, but are not limited to, weaving, knitting, or sewing methods. The entire fabric or the first and/or second regions may be subjected to a wettability treatment by plasma modification methods, UV modification, plasma etching methods, chemical etching methods, solution impregnation, laser electrodeposition, template deposition, nanoparticle deposition, spraying, and the like. Spacer layers used in protective fabrics include knit spacers, woven spacers, 3D printed layers, molded layers (molded layers), and the like.

In addition, the inventors have surprisingly found that the use of a larger area for the second region of the controllable liquid transfer fabric, compared to a smaller area, may have the following advantages: ensure that the liquid realizes directional conveying and has higher liquid conveying efficiency. The increased area of the second surface is more favorable for gathering the liquid transmitted from the inner side to the outer side of the fabric intoLarger droplets roll off under the synergistic effect of gravity and capillary force; and the liquid drops in the smaller area are acted by capillary force, and are adsorbed on the surface of the fabric and are difficult to grow into large liquid drops and fall off. In addition, the increased area of the first surface facilitates more adequate contact of the moisture transport area inside the fabric with the liquid, increasing the water conducting area. Meanwhile, the mutual connection of the second areas is facilitated, and the liquid drainage and the liquid discharge are facilitated. In some embodiments, the first surface has an area of at least 1mm²(ii) a And/or the area of the second surface is at least 1mm²。

1. Definition of

As used herein, when referring to the controllable liquid transport material of the present invention "comprising a first region and a plurality of locally contacted or completely separated second regions" or the like, the situation is also included where the controllable liquid transport material "consists of or essentially consists of the first region and the plurality of locally contacted or completely separated second regions".

In embodiments of various aspects of the invention, a "first surface" generally refers to a surface of a material that, in use, is in contact with or closer to a surface of an object (e.g., skin) from which it is desired to expel a liquid than a "second surface", unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Similarly, "second surface" generally refers to the surface of the material that is remote from the surface of the object (e.g., skin) relative to the "first surface" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, in some instances, the surface on which the "first surface" or "first surface" is located generally corresponds to the "skin side", "inner side" or "inner surface" described herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Similarly, in some instances, a "second surface" or a surface on which a "second surface" is located generally corresponds to a "front" or "outer surface" described herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

"mold covering/masking" refers to covering a material or fabric with a mold having a particular pattern and/or shape (e.g., a hollow or solid pattern), treating the exposed material, e.g., a portion of the fabric (e.g., a first region or a second region), by plasma etching or the like, to make it hydrophobic or hydrophilic or to have a different wettability or gradient wettability.

As used herein, "hydrophobic" or "hydrophobic" and the like refer to the water-repellent physical properties of the surface of a material, layer or structure (e.g., the first or main region), i.e., water droplets cannot or cannot readily adhere to, penetrate or spread on the surface of a hydrophobic substance. Hydrophobicity is generally expressed by contact angle (θ). The contact angle of a hydrophobic surface is generally greater than 90 deg. to equal to or less than 180 deg.. In the present invention, "moderately hydrophobic" means that the contact angle of the surface is generally greater than 90 ° to 120 ° or less. By "highly hydrophobic" is meant that the contact angle of the surface is generally greater than 120 deg. to equal to or less than 180 deg..

As used herein, "hydrophilic" or "hydrophilic" and the like means that the surface of a material, layer or structure (e.g., a second or localized region) has a greater affinity for water, such that water droplets readily adhere, penetrate or spread on the surface of the hydrophilic substance. The contact angle of a hydrophilic surface is typically between 0 ° and 90 °. "wettability" refers to the hydrophilic or hydrophobic properties of a material, as measured by contact angle. In the present invention, "moderately hydrophilic" means that the contact angle of the surface is usually from 30 ° or more to 90 ° or less. By "highly hydrophilic" is meant that the contact angle of the surface is typically from 0 to less than 30.

In the present invention, "hydrophobic treatment" and "hydrophobic treatment" may be used interchangeably; likewise, "hydrophilic treatment" and "hydrophilic treatment" may also be used interchangeably.

In the present invention, when it is mentioned that the "controllable liquid transfer material comprises a first layer and a second layer which are adjacent", said first and second layers may be separate layers or may be the opposite sides of a fabric made of yarns of different properties. For example, in case the first layer is formed by hydrophobic yarns and the second layer is formed by one or more of the methods a) -d) as defined in embodiments of the present invention, the first and second layers may be the front and back sides of the fabric.

In the present invention, when referring to "said first position and said second position are equal or substantially equal in height", the term "substantially" means that the height of the first position and the second position differs by no more than 5%, e.g. the height of the first position may be 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% of the height of the second position, or vice versa.

In the present invention, when "a plurality of second regions are locally contacted", the term "local contact" refers to a case where two or more second regions are partially contacted. In other words, the term "local contact" may refer to a case where the first surfaces of two or more second regions and/or the second surfaces are connected to each other to form a continuous surface, or a case where the boundaries (or contours) of the first surfaces of two or more second regions and/or the boundaries (or contours) of the second surfaces are connected to each other or cross each other to form a continuous boundary (or contour). For example, two or more second regions may form a continuous region throughout the material (e.g., a web) by localized contact, or form a plurality of discrete regions distributed discretely on the material, or the like. For example, localized contact may include 1-99%, 5-95%, 10-90%, 15-85%, 20-80%, 25-75% contact (based on the average area of two first or second surfaces in contact with each other) or any range or value therebetween.

2. Controllable liquid transport material having a different or gradient wettability between first and second surfaces of a second region

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a controllable liquid transport material comprising a hydrophobic first region and one or more second regions, wherein the second regions comprise (i.e. are defined on both sides of the material) a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second regions have a wettability by the first surface which is less than the wettability by the second surface.

In some embodiments, the first surface has an area of at least 1mm²And/or the area of the second surface is at least 1mm²。

In some embodiments, the wettability of the second region by thickness from the first surface to the second surface increases (e.g., a gradient increases, which may be achieved, for example, by a hydrophilic treatment). For example, the second region has a gradually increasing or graded increasing wettability across the thickness from the first surface to the second surface after the hydrophilic treatment.

In some embodiments, the controllable liquid transport material is obtained by subjecting the material to a hydrophobic treatment and/or a hydrophilic treatment. For example, the material may be subjected to a hydrophobic treatment to make it hydrophobic as a whole; the second region is then subjected to a further hydrophilic treatment, such that the second region is hydrophilic, wherein the wettability of the first surface of the second region is made less than the wettability of the second surface and/or the area of the first surface and/or the second surface is obtained by controlling the degree of hydrophilic treatment (e.g. in the case of plasma etching, controlling the plasma scanning rate and/or the treatment time). In the case where the material itself is a hydrophobic material, the second region on the material is directly subjected to a hydrophilic treatment without being subjected to a hydrophobic treatment.

In some embodiments, the controllable liquid transport material is woven with yarns having periodically distributed hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments by conventional weaving methods, such as knitting (e.g., plated, intarsia, jacquard), weaving, sewing, embroidery, or the like. Preferably, the density of the second area is made different in thickness by adjusting the arrangement density of the yarns and/or the yarn size such that the wettability of the first surface of the second area is less than the wettability of the second surface and/or the area of the first surface and/or the second surface is obtained. Alternatively, the second region of hydrophobic yarn may be hydrophilically treated to provide a wettability of the first surface of the second region that is less than the wettability of the second surface and/or to provide an area of the first surface and/or the second surface. Alternatively, the controllable liquid transport material may be woven directly using fibers having hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments distributed periodically instead of yarns.

3. Controllable liquid transport with different or gradient wettability between first and second surfaces of second zoneMaterial

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a controllable liquid transport material comprising a first layer and a second layer contiguous, wherein the first layer is hydrophobic and the second layer comprises a first region that is hydrophobic and one or more second regions, wherein the second regions are hydrophilic.

In some preferred embodiments, the second region comprises (or defines) a first surface and a second surface, and the wettability of the first surface is less than the wettability of the second surface. Optionally, the first surface has an area of at least 1mm²And/or the area of the second surface is at least 1mm²。

In some embodiments, the controllable liquid transport material is prepared by weaving hydrophilic yarns and hydrophobic yarns such that the hydrophobic yarns comprise the first layer and the hydrophilic yarns comprise the second layer, wherein the second region of the second layer is made hydrophilic or has a different wettability or gradient wettability in thickness by a hydrophobic treatment or a combination of a hydrophobic treatment and a hydrophilic treatment. For example, the hydrophobic treatment may comprise hydrophobic treatment of only the second layer. Alternatively, the controllable liquid-transport material may be woven directly using fibers instead of yarns.

In some embodiments, the controllable liquid transport material may be prepared using plating in a knitting technique using hydrophilic yarns (or fibers) and hydrophobic yarns (or fibers), wherein the hydrophobic yarns (or fibers) are woven into a first layer and the hydrophilic yarns (or fibers) are woven into a second layer, and then the first regions of the hydrophilic second layer are rendered hydrophobic (alternatively, the second layer may be rendered hydrophobic throughout and then the second regions are rendered hydrophilic, wherein the amount of wettability of the second regions in thickness may be controlled, for example, by controlling the plasma scan rate or length of treatment). Alternatively, the controllable liquid transport material may be prepared using plating in a knitting technique using hydrophobic yarns (or fibers) and yarns (or fibers) having periodic hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments, wherein the hydrophobic yarns (or fibers) are woven into a first layer and the yarns (or fibers) having periodic hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments are woven into a second layer, thereby forming hydrophobic first regions and hydrophilic second regions on the second layer. Alternatively, the wettability magnitude or gradient of the second region may be adjusted by adjusting the arrangement density and/or size of the fibers or yarns.

4. Controllable liquid transport material comprising smart material in second zone

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a controllable liquid transport material comprising a first region and one or more second regions, wherein the second regions comprise a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second regions are hydrophilic or, if desired, hydrophilic.

In some embodiments, the second region comprises a smart material (e.g., a temperature sensitive material) configured to be capable of transporting liquid from the first surface to the second surface when liquid transport is desired. In some embodiments, the first region is hydrophobic, the first surface of the second region is hydrophobic, and the second surface is coated with a temperature sensitive material (e.g., a hydrogel that is hydrophobic at lower temperatures and hydrophilic at higher temperatures), wherein the second surface becomes hydrophilic (thereby enabling the transfer of liquid, e.g., sweat, from the first surface to the second surface) when the ambient temperature (e.g., when the material is made into a garment for wearing, also including the body temperature of the wearer) reaches a threshold (e.g., about 35 ℃), and the second surface remains hydrophobic below that threshold. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the threshold temperature, i.e., the critical temperature at which the hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity of the temperature sensitive material changes, will vary depending on the temperature sensitive material selected; one skilled in the art will be able to select a temperature sensitive material having a suitable threshold temperature depending on the particular application.

In a further embodiment, a thermally conductive wire is provided in the controllable liquid transport material in contact with the second region, wherein when the thermally conductive wire is energized to heat, the temperature sensitive material on the second surface is heated to become hydrophilic, thereby directing the transport of liquid from the first surface to the second surface. In some embodiments, the thermally conductive wire is an electrical wire or coated with an electrically conductive coating thereon or combined with a heat sensing element.

In some embodiments, a first electrode may be provided on the first surface or on a surface of the first region adjacent to the first surface and a second electrode may be provided on the second surface or on a surface of the first region adjacent to the second surface, the liquid in the material flowing from the first surface to the second surface under the influence of a voltage when the power supply is switched on when the first electrode is connected to a negative pole of the power supply and the second electrode is connected to a positive pole of the power supply.

In some other embodiments, the second region is hydrophilic, and an ultrasonic oscillation atomization sheet can be attached to the second surface, and when the first surface transmits liquid to the second surface, a power supply is turned on to operate the atomization sheet, and the ultrasonic oscillation atomization sheet can convert the liquid transmitted to the second surface into small-particle liquid particles through high-frequency resonance and release the small-particle liquid particles into air, so that the liquid is continuously caused to flow from the first surface to the second surface.

In some alternative embodiments, a portable power supply device or battery unit may also be provided in the controllable liquid transport material to more conveniently control the transport of liquid in the material. Instead of providing a power source and a battery in the material, the voltage may be supplied by connecting to an external power source or battery.

In some embodiments, where liquid delivery is actively controlled (e.g., by using electric forces or ultrasonic agitation), there is no particular limitation on the wettability of the first region. In some embodiments, the first region may be hydrophobic or moderately hydrophobic. In other embodiments, the first region may even be hydrophilic in the case of actively controlled liquid delivery.

5. Controllable liquid transfer system composed of double fiber electrode layers

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a controllable liquid delivery system comprising a first fibrous electrode layer (as an inner layer), a second fibrous electrode layer (as an outer layer), and a porous nanofiber membrane layer (as an intermediate layer) disposed between the inner and outer layers, wherein the second fibrous electrode layer comprises a first region and one or more second regions, wherein the second regions comprise a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second regions are hydrophilic, and the intermediate layer has a pore size in the submicron range.

In some embodiments, the system may further include at least two porous adhesive layers (e.g., highly porous nonwoven adhesive backing layers) on either side of the middle layer for bonding (e.g., by lamination) the layers together.

In some embodiments, the fibrous electrode layer is prepared by coating fibers with a conductive polymer (e.g., a blend of poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and polystyrene sulfonate), and then moving the liquid under the action of electroosmotic flow by applying an electric field (e.g., liquid flows from the inner layer to the outer layer and continuously moves from the first surface to the second surface of the outer layer under coulomb force induced by the electric field). In some embodiments, the first and second fibrous electrode layers may be comprised of the following electrode materials: carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes, graphene, metals, and the like, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the porous nanofiber membrane used to make the intermediate layer may be a nylon membrane with pore sizes of about 0.45 μm. In some embodiments, the porous nanofiber membrane used to make the intermediate layer may be a moderately hydrophilic nylon 6,6 or a highly hydrophilic Polyacrylonitrile (PAN), such as a nanofiber nylon 6,6 membrane with submicron pore sizes.

In some embodiments, the first region may be hydrophobic or hydrophilic, preferably hydrophobic.

In some alternative embodiments, a portable power supply or battery unit may also be provided in the system to more conveniently control the transport of liquid in the material. Instead of providing a power source and a battery in the material, the voltage may be supplied by connecting to an external power source or battery.

6. Controllable liquid transport material comprising a channel through the entire material in a second area

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a controllable liquid transport material comprising a hydrophobic first region and one or more second regions, wherein the second regions have a first surface and a second surface and comprise channels through the controllable liquid transport material and are hydrophilic, the channels defining a first location, a first surface area and/or a first aperture on the first surface and a second location, a second surface area and/or a second aperture on the second surface, wherein: (1) in use, the first position is higher than the second position or the first position and the second position are equal or substantially equal in height; and/or (2) the first aperture is larger than the second aperture.

In some embodiments, the first surface area is at least 1mm²(ii) a And/or, the second surface area is at least 1mm². In some embodiments, the first pore size is about 0.2 to 8000 μm and the second pore size is about 0.1 to 2000 μm.

In some embodiments, the hydrophobic TiO is applied by covering both sides of the material with a 3D printing mold with a controllable pattern (e.g., a hollow pattern) and applying₂Solution spraying to prepare the controllable liquid transport material. In other embodiments, the material is hydrophobic prior to treatment, and thus the method of making the controlled liquid transport material of the present invention can eliminate TiO from the process₂And (4) spraying the solution.

In some embodiments, the controllable liquid transport material is woven with yarns by weaving methods such as knitting (e.g., plaiting, intarsia, jacquard), weaving, sewing, embroidering, and the like, wherein the channels have different pore sizes in thickness by adjusting the arrangement density and/or yarn size of the yarns, and wherein the yarns forming the channels are hydrophilic or treated to be hydrophilic. Alternatively, the controllable liquid-transport material may be woven using fibers instead of yarns.

In some embodiments, in use, the first position is higher than the second position or the first position and the second position are equal or substantially equal in height, and the channel may be of any shape, for example zigzag, trapezoidal, tapered, etc. In some embodiments, the channel is a zigzag or a deformed zigzag, wherein the deformed zigzag is configured such that an angle between upper and lower short bars and a line therebetween is a right angle or an obtuse angle.

In some embodiments, the second region may also consist only of channels through the controllable liquid transport material.

7. Controllable liquid transfer article

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a controllable liquid transport article comprising an inner layer, an outer layer, and an intermediate layer disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer, wherein the inner layer is comprised of a controllable liquid transport material as described in any of the above embodiments of the present invention (e.g., any of the embodiments described in sections 2-4 and 6) or the system of the embodiments of section 5, the outer layer is comprised of a gas permeable, water resistant material (e.g., Gore-Tex), and the intermediate layer is hydrophobic and has hollow channels disposed thereon (e.g., for liquid molecules to pass through; e.g., laser cut hollow channels). In some embodiments, the intermediate layer serves the purpose of spacing and support, thereby providing support and air circulation to the article. Optionally, the spacer layer is further provided with a wearable fan to facilitate evaporative cooling. In some embodiments, the spacer layer may be a 3D printed layer, a molded layer, or may be comprised of a weft, warp, or woven fabric.

In some embodiments, the article further comprises at least two porous adhesive layers (e.g., nonwoven adhesive backing layers) on either side of the spacer layer for bonding (e.g., by lamination) the layers together.

In some embodiments, the article further comprises a sealing layer at the edges of the inner layer, intermediate layer, outer layer, and porous adhesive layer, the sealing layer configured to collect accumulated liquid in the article or prevent accumulated liquid from falling off the article when the article is in use.

8. Method for preparing controllable liquid transmission material

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a method of making a controllable liquid transport material according to certain embodiments of the above section 2 or 3 of the present invention, the method comprising:

a) subjecting the substrate from which the controllable liquid transport material is made or the substrate from which the second layer of controllable liquid transport material is made to a hydrophobic treatment to render it hydrophobic; or, in the case where the substrate itself is hydrophobic, the hydrophobic treatment is not performed; and

b) subjecting one or more second regions of the material obtained in step a) to a hydrophilic treatment such that the wettability of the first surface is less than the wettability of the second surface.

In some embodiments, the hydrophobic treatment comprises spraying a hydrophobic solution or performing a plasma treatment or applying a chemical deposition process on both sides of the substrate, and/or the hydrophilic treatment comprises a plasma etching process.

In some embodiments, the step b) further comprises: step b1) before the hydrophilic treatment (e.g., plasma etching) is performed, covering the surface where the second surface is located with a mold having a plurality of hollow patterns (e.g., where the hollow patterns are located corresponding to the second region).

In some embodiments, the pattern (e.g., a hollow pattern or a solid pattern) on the mold may be any shape as long as the object of the present invention can be achieved. Optionally, the pattern is selected from the group consisting of triangular, oval, diamond, circular, square, Y-shaped, + shaped, tree, mesh, zigzag, or a variation thereof, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the applied plasma scan rate is between about 1mm/s and 0.1mm/s during the plasma etch; the scan time is about 50s-500s, which varies depending on the sample size and scan speed scanned (e.g., for a sample 5cm long by 5cm wide, a scan time of 50s for a scan speed of 1 mm/s).

In some embodiments, prior to performing the hydrophobic treatment, the method further comprises: step a1) desizing, washing, bleaching, or any combination thereof, the substrate.

9. Method for preparing a controllable liquid transport material comprising a smart material in a second zone

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a method of making a controllable liquid transport material according to some embodiments of section 4 above, the method comprising:

a) carrying out hydrophobic treatment on a base material for preparing the controllable liquid transmission material to enable two sides of the base material to have hydrophobicity; and

b) coating a surface (e.g. a second surface) of one or more second areas of the material obtained in step a) with a temperature sensitive material.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises providing a thermally conductive wire in the material in contact with the second region, and/or disposing a portable power supply device or battery cell in the material. In some embodiments, the thermally conductive wire is an electrical wire or coated with an electrically conductive coating thereon or combined with a heat sensing element.

In some embodiments, step a) may be omitted in case thermally conductive wires are provided in the material.

10. Method for producing a controllable liquid transport system consisting of a two-layer fibre electrode layer

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a method of making a controllable liquid delivery system according to some embodiments of part 5 above of the present invention, the method comprising:

a) preparing a first fibrous electrode layer and a second fibrous electrode layer by coating a cost-effective conductive polymer (e.g. a blend of poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and polystyrene sulfonate) on a fibrous layer (such as a polyester fabric), wherein the second fibrous electrode layer is provided with the hydrophilic second regions by a hydrophilic treatment; and

b) two fibrous electrode layers are laminated together (by, for example, a porous backing) with a porous nanofiber membrane (e.g., nylon 6, polyacrylonitrile, etc.) and optionally at least two porous adhesive layers, wherein the porous nanofiber membrane is disposed between the two fibrous electrodes, the two porous adhesive layers being disposed between the first fibrous electrode layer and the porous nanofiber membrane and between the second fibrous electrode layer and the porous nanofiber membrane, respectively.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises step c): a portable battery unit or power source is implanted in the system.

In some embodiments, the porous nanofiber membrane has pore sizes on the submicron scale (e.g., pore sizes of about 0.45 μm). In some embodiments, the porous nanofiber membrane may be a moderately hydrophilic nylon 6,6 or a highly hydrophilic Polyacrylonitrile (PAN), such as a nanofiber nylon 6,6 membrane with submicron pore sizes. In some embodiments, the first and second fibrous electrode layers may be comprised of the following electrode materials: carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes, graphene, metals, and the like, or any combination thereof.

11. Method for preparing a controllable liquid transport material comprising a channel through the entire material in a second area

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a method of making a controllable liquid transport material according to some embodiments of the invention in section 6 above, the method comprising:

a) impregnating a substrate for preparing the controllable liquid transport material with D4;

b) covering both sides of the material obtained in step a) with two 3D printing dies having a plurality of controllable patterns, wherein the controllable patterns cover the second area, while the first area is uncovered, which are plasma treated to initiate polymerization of D4; and

c) the fabric side mold was removed and plasma treated to initiate polymerization of D4.

12. Preparing a controllable liquid transport having a different or gradient wettability between the first and second surfaces of the second region Method of producing a material

Some embodiments of the present invention also provide a method of making a controllable liquid transport material according to certain embodiments of part 3 above, the method comprising using plating in a knitting technique to make the controllable liquid transport material from hydrophilic yarns (or fibres) and hydrophobic yarns (or fibres), wherein the hydrophobic yarns (or fibres) are woven into a first layer and the hydrophilic yarns (or fibres) are woven into a second layer, and then treating the first regions of the hydrophilic second layer to be hydrophobic (alternatively, the second layer may be treated to be hydrophobic throughout and then hydrophilically treated, wherein the amount of wettability of the second regions may be controlled by, for example, controlling the plasma scan rate or the length of treatment).

In still other embodiments, the method comprises using plating in knitting techniques with hydrophobic yarns (or fibers) and yarns (or fibers) having periodic hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments to produce the controllable liquid transport material of the present aspect, wherein the hydrophobic yarns (or fibers) are woven in a first layer and the yarns (or fibers) having periodic hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments are woven in a second layer. Optionally, the wettability of the second region in the thickness is adjusted by adjusting the arrangement density and/or size of the fibers or yarns.

13. Method of making controlled liquid transfer articles

Some embodiments of the present invention also provide a method of making a controlled liquid transport article according to certain embodiments of section 7 above, the method comprising laminating the inner layer, the outer layer, and the intermediate layer disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer, and optionally at least two porous adhesive layers disposed on either side of the spacing layer.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises disposing a wearable fan at the spacer layer. In some embodiments, the method further comprises sealing the edges of the inner layer, intermediate layer, outer layer, and optional porous adhesive layer, whereby the sealing layer facilitates collection of accumulated liquid in the system or prevents accumulated liquid from falling directly to the ground when the article is in use.

In some embodiments, the spacer layer may be a 3D printed layer, a molded layer, or may be comprised of a weft, warp, or woven fabric.

14. Controllable liquid transport materials or systems prepared by the method of the invention

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a controllable liquid transport material or system made by the method of any of the embodiments in sections 8-13 above.

15. Article of manufacture

Some embodiments of the present invention also provide an article made from the controllable liquid transfer material, article, or system described in any of the embodiments in sections 2-7 and 14 herein.

In some embodiments, the article includes, but is not limited to, towels, handkerchiefs, athletic protective gear, bedding, athletic garments, casual wear, fire protection gear, winter jacket, protective fabrics, isolation gowns, military apparel, industrial work wear, oil and water separators, wound dressings, building materials, tents, masks, respirators, seawater desalination microfluidic devices.

In certain embodiments of the foregoing each of the portions, the channel may be zigzag, trapezoidal, tapered, or the like in shape. In some embodiments, the channel is a zigzag or a deformed zigzag, wherein the deformed zigzag is configured such that an angle between upper and lower short bars and a line therebetween is a right angle or an obtuse angle.

In certain embodiments of the foregoing each of the parts, the liquid transported by the material or system of the present invention is sweat. When used to prepare a wearing garment, the first surface described in the above aspects of the invention is the surface that is closer to the skin than the second surface, unless otherwise indicated.

In certain embodiments of the foregoing, the wettability of the second region by the first surface is graded; and/or the controllable liquid transport material comprises a plurality of second regions, and the plurality of second regions are partially in contact or completely separated. In some embodiments, the second region is contiguous with the first region.

In certain embodiments of the foregoing, optionally, the first surface area is greater than the second surface area.

In certain embodiments of the foregoing each part, when the area defining the first surface and/or the second surface is at least 1mm²When used, the area of the first surface and/or the second surface may also be selected from: about 1-9000mm²、1-8000mm²、1-7000mm²、1-6000mm²、1-5000mm²、1-4000mm²、1-3000mm²、1-2000mm²、1-1000mm²、1-900mm²、1-800mm²、1-700mm²、1-600mm²、1-500mm²、1-400mm²、1-300mm²、1-200mm²Preferably 10-100mm²E.g. 10-95mm²、10-90mm²、10-85mm²、10-80mm²、10-75mm²、10-70mm²、10-65mm²、10-60mm²、10-55mm²、10-50mm²、15-100mm²、15-90mm²、15-80mm²、15-70mm²、15-60mm²、15-50mm²、20-100mm²、20-90mm²、20-80mm²、20-70mm²、20-60mm²、20-50mm²、25-100mm²、25-90mm²、25-80mm²、25-70mm²、25-60mm²、25-50mm²、30-100mm²、30-90mm²、30-80mm²、30-70mm²、30-60mm²、30-50mm²、35-100mm²、35-90mm²、35-80mm²、35-70mm²、35-60mm²、35-50mm²、40-70mm²、45-75mm²And the like, as well as any point values and subranges therein. In some embodiments, the first and/or second surface area is about 10-400mm²。

In certain embodiments of each of the foregoing, the first pore size is about 0.2 to 7000 μm, 0.2 to 6000 μm, 0.2 to 5000 μm, 0.2 to 4000 μm, 0.2 to 3000 μm, 0.2 to 2000 μm, 0.2 to 1000 μm, 5.0 to 7000 μm, 5.0 to 6000 μm, 5.0 to 5000 μm, 5.0 to 4000 μm, 5.0 to 3000 μm, 5.0 to 2000 μm, 5.0 to 1000 μm, 10 to 7000 μm, 10 to 6000 μm, 10 to 5000 μm, 10 to 4000 μm, 10 to 3000 μm, 10 to 2000 μm, 10 to 1000 μm, 10 to 900 μm, 10 to 800 μm, 10 to 700 μm, 10 to 600 μm, 10 to 500 μm, 10 to 400 μm, preferably about 10 to 300 μm, for example about 10 to 250 μm, 10-200 μm, 10-180 μm, 10-150 μm, 10-120 μm, 10-100 μm, 15-300 μm, 15-280 μm, 15-250 μm, 15-220 μm, 15-200 μm, 20-270 μm, 20-240 μm, 20-200 μm, 20-170 μm, 20-140 μm, 25-300 μm, 30-300 μm, 35-300 μm, 40-300 μm, 45-300 μm, 50-300 μm, 55-300 μm, 60-300 μm, 65-300 μm, 70-300 μm, 75-300 μm, 80-300 μm, 85-300 μm, 90-300 μm, 95-300 μm, 100-300 μm, 110-300 μm, 130-300 μm, and the like, as well as any point values and subranges therein.

In certain embodiments of each of the foregoing, the second pore size is about 0.1-1500 μm, 0.1-1000 μm, 0.1-800 μm, 0.1-600 μm, 0.1-400 μm, 0.1-200 μm, 0.1-100 μm, 5.0-1500 μm, 5.0-1000 μm, 5.0-800 μm, 5.0-600 μm, 5.0-400 μm, 5.0-200 μm, 5.0-100 μm, 10-1500 μm, 10-1000 μm, 10-800 μm, 10-600 μm, 10-400 μm, 10-200 μm, 10-100 μm, e.g., 5-300 μm, 5-150 μm, 10-300 μm, 15-290 μm, 20-285 μm, 25-280 μm, 30-275 μm, 35-270 μm, 40-265 μm, 45-260 μm, 50-255 μm, 55-250 μm, 60-245 μm, 65-240 μm, 70-235 μm, 75-230 μm, 80-225 μm, 85-220 μm, 90-215 μm, 95-210 μm, 95-200 μm, 100-180 μm, 110-150 μm, 120-140 μm, 10-150 μm, 20-140 μm, 30-130 μm, 40-120 μm, 50-110 μm, 60-100 μm, 70-90 μm, 35-95 μm, and the like, as well as any values and subranges therein.

In certain embodiments of the foregoing each portion, the ratio of the second pore size to the first pore size is less than about 1:2, e.g., about 1:2.5, 1:3, 1:3.5, 1:4, 1:4.5, 1:5, 1:5.5, 1:6, 1:6.5, 1:7, 1:8, 1:9, 1:10, and even less, and any point values and subranges therein.

In certain embodiments of the foregoing, a ratio of a total area of the first region to a total area of the second region is from about 1/15 to about 5000. In some embodiments, the area ratio is about 1/15-4500, about 1/15-4000, about 1/10-3500, about 1/10-3000, about 1/5-2500, about 1/5-2000, about 1-1500, about 1-1000, about 10-900, about 10-800, about 10-700, about 20-600, about 20-550, about 20-500, about 20-450, about 20-400, about 30-350, about 30-300, about 40-250, about 40-200, about 50-150, about 50-100, about 100-500, about 100-600, about 100-700, about 100-800, about 200-500, about 200-600, about 50-150, about 50-100-500, about 100-600-200-600, About 200-.

In certain embodiments of the foregoing each section, the first region is preferably continuously distributed. Alternatively, the first regions may be spaced apart by the second regions.

In certain embodiments of the foregoing, the yarn may be made of cotton, wool, hemp, silk, synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester, nylon, acrylic, polyvinyl chloride, nylon, etc.), or the like, or any combination thereof. Alternatively, the fibers may be cotton fibers, wool fibers, hemp fibers, silk fibers, synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester, nylon, acrylic, polyvinyl chloride, nylon, etc.), or the like, or any combination thereof.

In certain embodiments of the foregoing each of the parts, the controllable liquid transport material or the substrate from which the controllable liquid transport material is made of natural and/or synthetic materials. In some embodiments, the natural material is selected from cotton, wool, silk, flax, bamboo fiber, or any combination thereof. In other embodiments, the synthetic material is selected from the group consisting of: teflon, polypropylene, polyester, chinlon, acrylon, spandex, nylon, or any combination thereof.

In certain embodiments of the aforementioned portions, the hydrophilic treatment or hydrophobic treatment includes, but is not limited to: plasma modification methods, UV modification, plasma etching methods, chemical etching methods, solution dipping methods, chemical deposition methods, laser electrodeposition methods, template deposition methods, nanoparticle deposition methods.

In certain embodiments of the foregoing each of the portions, the first region is itself hydrophobic or rendered hydrophobic by a hydrophobic treatment. In some embodiments, the hydrophobic treatment comprises plasma-initiated polymerization with octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) to create hydrophobicity, or by spraying a hydrophobic solution such as TiO₂The hydrophobicity is generated by solution or by chemical deposition of 1H,1H,2H, 2H-Perfluorooctyltrichlorosilane (POTS) on the surface of the material.

In certain embodiments of the foregoing each of the parts, the second region may be of any shape, preferably having a shape selected from: rectangular, triangular, oval, diamond, circular, square, Y-shaped, + shaped, tree-shaped, mesh, zigzag, or a variation thereof, or any combination thereof.

Advantages provided by the present invention include one or more of the following: controllable liquid delivery; not too heavy and not too sticky; the air is still ventilated when being wet; repel and block external liquids, and remain breathable; a more controlled liquid transfer can be achieved when connected to the power-based unit.

The scope of the present invention is not limited to any particular embodiment described herein. The following examples are provided for illustration only.

Example 1a

Controllable liquid transfer fabric with different wettability in second areas of different shape

A controllable liquid transfer fabric was prepared by a two-step plasma treatment (fig. 2). Step 1): polymerization of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) on cotton fabric was initiated by plasma to make it hydrophobic; step 2): localized regions (e.g., second regions) having different or graded wettabilities across the thickness are created by plasma etching a hydrophobic fabric covered by a mold (mask) with a controlled pattern and/or shape (such as rectangular, triangular, oval, diamond, circular, square, Y-shaped, + shaped, tree, mesh, zigzag, etc.). In step 2), hydrophilicity is created on the exposed side (i.e. the surface of the created localized area) while the unexposed side (i.e. the other surface of the created localized area) is hydrophobic, whereas over the entire thickness of the fabric, a different or gradient wettability is created between the exposed side and the unexposed side due to different degrees of plasma etching (with the aim of increasing the hydrophilicity).

The water contact angle of the hydrophobic fabric resulting from step 1) was about 150 °. Plasma etching is applied in step 2) to change the wettability of local areas having different shapes. During the etching of step 2), the plasma scan speed was varied from 1mm/s to 0.1mm/s, resulting in different wettabilities. When 5 μ Ι _ of water droplets were dropped on the etched hydrophobic fabric, the corresponding Contact Angles (CA) on the exposed side and the unexposed side changed with different plasma scanning speeds (fig. 3 a). As the etch time increases or the scan speed decreases, the contact angle on the exposed side decreases significantly, while the contact angle on the unexposed side decreases only slightly, because of the limited extent of etching of the plasma. At a given plasma scan speed of 0.1mm/s, the water contact angle on the exposed fabric surface was 15 °, which became 0 ° within 0.84s (sec); while the contact angle of the unexposed surface decreased slightly, from 150 ° to 140 ° within 2.5 s. Directional water transport was obtained at different plasma scan speeds of 0.3mm/s, 0.2mm/s and 0.1mm/s, with complete absorption of the droplets from one side of the fabric to the opposite side undergoing 23.2s, 8.2s and 2.5s respectively (fig. 3 b).

The surface topography of the plasma etched treated fabric (in step 2) was characterized by SEM (fig. 4a, 4b and 4 c). The unexposed side remains hydrophobic after plasma treatment as compared to the side (i.e., surface) exposed to plasma etching. The chemical composition of D4, cotton fabric and D4 treated cotton fabric were characterized by FTIR (fig. 4D and 4 e). After the plasma etching, the hydrophobic bond is broken, and as the plasma etching is strengthened, the hydrophobicity is reduced, which is consistent with the change of the contact angle in fig. 3.

The obliquely placed controlled liquid transfer fabric allows liquid water to penetrate spontaneously through the fabric from the skin side (i.e., the inner surface in contact with the skin) to the front side (i.e., the outer surface) and accumulate into larger droplets, which then roll down along the outer surface of the fabric under the influence of gravity (fig. 5). Also, external liquids such as falling rain are repelled by the outer surface of the fabric, rolling rapidly along the outer surface (fig. 5). It is clear that sweat removal in the form of droplets from the skin side to the outer surface of the fabric is much more efficient than sweat removal by evaporation of sweat on the fabric surface, since one droplet of liquid phase contains millions of molecules of gas phase.

A horizontally placed controlled liquid transfer fabric allows liquid water to spontaneously penetrate the fabric from the skin side to the front side (i.e. the outer surface) and accumulate as droplets in a countergravity manner (fig. 6 a). Furthermore, external liquids such as falling rain are repelled by the outer surface of the fabric and thus cannot penetrate the fabric (fig. 6 b). Fig. 6c shows a water droplet on the surface of the mainly hydrophobic area and the locally hydrophilic area, i.e. the first area and the second area. The penetration pressure of the liquid water corresponds to a water column of 15mm height above the fabric, indicating that the front side of the fabric has a resistance to penetration of external liquids (fig. 6 d).

Subsequently, the liquid transport of the controllable liquid transport fabric was characterized by a Moisture Management Tester (MMT) (fig. 6 e). The skin was placed laterally up in the MMT and saline droplets were provided. The water content of the sample was measured over a period of time. The results show that the relative moisture content of the skin side (top surface) of the controllable liquid transfer fabric is close to 0 (fig. 6f, shown by the line overlapping the abscissa), but the relative moisture content of the front side (bottom surface) increases rapidly to 1647.9% within 40s (fig. 6f, shown by the upper curve), which is much higher than the moisture content of untreated cotton fabric and unidirectional transfer fabric (one surface is fully hydrophobic and the other surface is fully hydrophilic) (table 1). When the wearer sweats heavily, untreated cotton fabrics and unidirectional transport fabrics will be fully wetted and saturated under the slow liquid transport by sweat evaporation. However, the controlled liquid transport fabric can effectively remove excess perspiration from the skin side without adding weight.

TABLE 1 relative moisture content of the bottom and top surfaces of different fabrics measured by MMT test

The controlled liquid transfer fabric reduced the sticking effect compared to untreated plain cotton fabric (figure 7). The tension required to move the fabric was measured using a measurement system consisting of a load cell and motor based on a fixed area (10 x 10cm) of fully wetted simulated skin. The results show that the maximum pull force required for the controlled liquid transfer fabric is reduced by 70% compared to untreated cotton fabric (figure 7).

Example 1b

Controllable liquid transfer fabric having different wettability over the thickness of second regions of different shape

This example provides an environmentally friendly, fluoride-free method to produce a predominantly hydrophobic region and localized regions of gradient wettability (i.e., first and second regions, fig. 8) in a controlled liquid transport fabric. The method is suitable for synthetic fibers and natural fibers. First, the fabric may be treated by conventional desizing, laundering (scouring) and bleaching processes prior to further processing. Then, the selected fabric (e.g., cotton fabric) was immersed in D4 monomer for 30 minutes, dried at room temperature, and then subjected to plasma treatment. The degree of polymerization of the D4 monomer can be controlled by adjusting the plasma treatment time to form a corresponding wettability gradient. Increasing the exposure time of the fabric to the plasma over a period of time results in an increase in hydrophobicity. Both sides of the fabric are covered and pressed by two 3D printing dies, whereby potential areas with gradient wettability (i.e. areas that will become local areas with wettability gradients) are clamped by controllable patterned bumps or raised areas with different shapes. The fabric clamped by the mold is placed in a plasma system and treated under power for a given time (e.g., at a flow rate of 50cc/min of helium and 120W of power, in a plasma for a given time). The plasma treatment renders all areas uncovered hydrophobic. The 3D printing mold was then removed, the fabric was taped with impermeable tape on one side and the other side exposed, and a gradient of wettability was formed by plasma induced graft polymerization of D4. With plasma treatment, a desired gradient wettability is created in a local region throughout the patterned region.

Example 2

Protective textile system for controlled liquid transport and collection

Controlled liquid transfer fabrics, such as those prepared in examples 1a-1b, were combined and laminated with an air permeable, waterproof protective shell (shell) such as Gore-Tex to achieve directional liquid transfer and barrier properties (fig. 9). Laser cut warp knitted spacer fabric is used for support and spacer layers between the shell layer and the fabric to obtain hollow channels to guide the liquid transport from the skin side to the bottom area of the fabric system. The spacer may also introduce more air ventilation into the microclimate near the skin for improved heat and moisture management. The spacer layer is treated to be hydrophobic. The multi-layer protective fabric system made of the inner controllable liquid transport fabric, the intermediate spacer layer and the shell outer layer can be laminated with a thin highly porous nonwoven adhesive backing. Spacer layers may include weft knit fabrics, warp knit fabrics, woven fabrics, 3D printed layers, molded layers, and the like.

The liquid water spontaneously permeates the fabric from the skin side up to the hollow channel and accumulates to form droplets in the intermediate layer between the fabric layer and the shell layer; the droplets are then released and fall under gravity through the channels toward the bottom of the fabric system (fig. 10). On the other hand, water droplets from the outer surface of the shell rapidly roll down along the shell surface (fig. 10). The penetration pressure from the external front to the skin side exceeds 6m water column height. The border area of the protective textile system may be sealed (fig. 11), and sweat may be directed and collected for various applications, such as real-time health monitoring. The boundaries of the textile system may also be sealed to prevent perspiration from falling onto the floor, which could result in the floor slipping if a large amount of perspiration were allowed to fall onto the floor, which could in turn cause a slip.

A wearable fan may be placed in the middle layer area to promote evaporative cooling, while the porous spacer layer allows sufficient ventilation. The temperature of the skin side of the protective fabric (i.e., the side or layer in contact with the skin) was measured when the fan was turned on or off (fig. 12). As shown in fig. 12, the simulated skin of the heating plate was set at 35 ℃ with an ambient temperature of 25 ℃, and the skin side of the controlled dry cotton fabric and the dry, controlled liquid transfer fabric was cooled to 33.6 ℃ when the fan was turned on; however, the temperature of the controlled liquid transfer fabric was reduced to 30.5 ℃ and 31.2 ℃ at localized locations and surrounding hydrophobic areas, respectively, indicating potential cooling and thermal comfort.

The protective textile system (i.e. the structure prepared in this example and shown in fig. 9), Gore-Tex waterproof shell, controlled liquid transfer cotton fabric (produced by the method of example 1) and untreated (i.e. not hydrophobically treated) cotton fabric were tested for water vapor transmission rates (vapor permeability) according to GB/T12704.2-2009, with the water vapor transmission rates being: 65.67g/m²·h、78.89g/m²·h、107.01g/m²H and 109.36g/m²H (FIG. 13). It can be seen that there is little difference in the water vapor transmission rate between the original fabric substrate and the improved controlled liquid transfer fabric system. Thus, at the expense of a slightly increased thickness, a protective textile system that allows for perspiration and storage can keep the skin dry and block body fluids without compromising breathability or comfort.

Example 3

Controllable liquid transfer fabric with localized hydrophilic regions

This embodiment provides a structure in which the main region (i.e., the first region) is hydrophobic and the local region (i.e., the second region) is completely hydrophilicThe zigzag channel of the fabric material is shown in fig. 14. Masking both sides (i.e. both surfaces) of the fabric with a 3D printing mold having a controllable pattern and by spraying hydrophobic TiO on both sides of the fabric₂The solution was used to treat the fabric (fig. 14). The areas covered by the mould remain hydrophilic, while the intermediate areas (i.e. a section of hydrophilic area on the first surface running through to the second surface in the thickness direction connecting with the hydrophilic area of the second surface forming one hydrophilic channel) remain hydrophilic through both surfaces due to little contact with the hydrophobic spray from both sides. The zigzag channels are completely hydrophilic and connect two asymmetrically opposite locations on both surfaces of the fabric, allowing the transport of liquid from a higher internal location to a lower external location to be guided by gravity and capillary forces. The region surrounding the hydrophilic sites is hydrophobic, thereby facilitating the formation of droplets. The accumulated droplets eventually roll off along the outer surface of the fabric (fig. 15). The fabric can maintain the wearer's body skin relatively dry and comfortable, even in the presence of a large amount of perspiration. In addition, by a finely hydrophilic treatment, the length of the hydrophilic channels in the middle region of the fabric can be programmably extended (fig. 16), allowing long distance transport of liquids for various applications such as evaporative coolers and microfluidic devices.

Example 4

Knitted fabric with controllable liquid transport properties

A fabric having a main region (i.e., a first region) that is hydrophobic and a localized region (i.e., a second region) that differs in wettability across the thickness can be manufactured by existing fabric processing methods such as knitting (e.g., plated stitch, intarsia, jacquard), and the like. For example, knitted fabrics with different wettabilities can be manufactured by using plating methods in the knitting technique (fig. 17 a). During weaving, the loops formed by the face and ground yarns are woven on different sides of the fabric according to the pattern requirements (fig. 17 a). To achieve a structure with asymmetric wettability across the thickness of the fabric for directional water transport, hydrophilic and hydrophobic yarns are selected to weave a knitted fabric (fig. 17 b). Based on the method described in example 1, a commercial yarn was treated to have some wettability (i.e., hydrophilicity). Based on the D4 plasma modification method, the front side (i.e., the outer surface) of the knitted fabric can be treated to have a main region of hydrophobicity and a local region of hydrophilicity (fig. 17 c). Furthermore, the yarns used for the hydrophilic layer can be replaced by yarns having hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments distributed periodically, thus directly producing a fabric with local hydrophilicity, without the need for subsequent treatment with gradient wettability. Accordingly, a fabric having a main region of hydrophobicity and a partial region of wettability different in thickness can be manufactured by weaving and knitting yarns having wettability varying periodically.

Based on the knitted fabric of fig. 17b, the fabric is coated with hydrophobic TiO by spraying it with a local area covered by a mold₂The solution is used to build a controlled liquid transport fabric (fig. 17c) allowing directional liquid transport from the inside to the outside and promoting droplet accumulation to roll down the surface of the fabric under the influence of gravity (fig. 18).

In order to evaluate the liquid transport capacity of the knitted fabric, a home-made simulated perspiration system was developed, consisting of a 3D print cartridge covered with a simulated skin with micro-pores and a syringe pump (fig. 19). When liquid water is injected into the cartridge, water droplets appear on the simulated skin surface. A controlled liquid transfer knitted fabric (5 x 5cm) was placed on the simulated skin with a water supply rate of 5ml/h and the weight of the falling drops was recorded by an electronic scale.

Wet plain fabrics are much more thermally conductive than dry fabrics. However, the developed controlled liquid transfer knitted fabrics were mainly hydrophobic and did not absorb too much liquid water, a feature that allowed the fabric to remain dry and thermally insulating, thereby reducing the afterchill effect. The values of instantaneous contact temperature sensing criteria (Q-max, representing cold), thermal conductivity and temperature between untreated cotton fabric (commercially available) contacting a given liquid source (simulating perspiration), knitted fabric with asymmetric wettability in thickness (i.e. fabric shown in figure 17b) and a controlled liquid transfer knitted fabric (prepared from example 4) are shown in figure 20. The controllable liquid transfer knit fabric had the lowest Q-max value, indicating that the fabric had the lowest cold sensation when wet (fig. 20 a). The controlled liquid transfer knit fabric had the lowest thermal conductivity (fig. 20c) and the temperature remained constant at different liquid levels (fig. 20b, the curve shown for the controlled liquid transfer fabric), thus providing a warmer feel even in wet conditions.

Example 5

Knitted fabrics with controlled liquid transport and fabric systems formed therefrom

Fabrics having a major region (i.e., the first region) that is hydrophobic and a localized region (i.e., the second region) that has a different pore size can be made by existing fabric processing methods such as knitting (e.g., plated stitch, applique, jacquard), weaving, sewing, embroidery, and the like. For example, a knitted fabric having different apertures throughout the thickness can be manufactured by using a plating method in the knitting technique (fig. 21). During the weaving process, loops formed by the face yarns and the bottom yarns are woven on different sides of the fabric with yarns of different thicknesses and by adjusting the yarn arrangement density. Furthermore, the fabric may be treated to have a gradient wettability in a local area based on the method in example 1.

The fabric prepared in this example can also be used to form a fabric system similar to that described in example 2, as shown in figure 21. In particular, the textile system may comprise the controllable liquid-transmitting knitted textile of the present embodiment (as an inner layer), a microporous membrane having submicron pore sizes (as an outer layer), and a woven mesh having submicron pore sizes (as an intermediate layer) disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer, wherein the pore sizes on each layer of material gradually decrease from the inner layer to the outer layer. Furthermore, two nonwoven adhesive backing layers may be provided between the middle layer and the outer layer and between the middle layer and the inner layer, thereby bonding the inner layer, the middle layer and the outer layer together. Further, the edges of the layers may be sealed so that the system may be used to collect liquid or prevent liquid from falling directly to the ground when in use.

Example 6

Controllable liquid delivery system with electrically driven liquid motion in localized regions

A typical controllable liquid transport fabric is provided in which liquid is driven in motion by a voltage in a localized area (i.e., the second area), as shown in fig. 22. Two fibrous electrode layers and a nanofiber nylon 6,6 film with submicron pore size were laminated together using a loose porous liner. The electrode is prepared by coating a cost-effective blend of the conductive polymer poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT: PSS) on a fibrous layer, such as a polyester fabric, which can undergo electrochemical action without harmful by-products. The polyester fabric was immersed in a solution of PEDOT: PSS dispersion containing the second dopant, glycerol, at room temperature for at least 36 hours. The fabric was then drained to remove excess solution and annealed (annealed) to evaporate the dopant.

Potential materials for nanofiber membranes include nylon 6, which is moderately hydrophilic, and Polyacrylonitrile (PAN), which is highly hydrophilic. Hydrophilicity is required to allow capillary filling in the nanofiber membrane to create electroosmotic flow. The fabric may be implanted in a portable battery unit or power source and the two electrodes connected to the power source by a thin cable. A microcontroller DC-DC converter may also be connected to the portable power pack for providing voltage, increasing portability and reducing weight. The on/off mode is switched quickly and the voltage value is easily adjusted to program the operating time. The fabric was treated to make its surface hydrophobic according to the method used in example 1. However, the outer surface may be hydrophilic or moderately hydrophobic, wherein the liquid may be driven out by electroosmotic forces.

When the applied voltage is set to 5V, the liquid water moves from the inside to the outside by coulomb force due to the electric field in addition to the capillary force (fig. 23). When the power is turned off, the water droplets pushed out of the fabric move back into the fabric and are absorbed again by it (fig. 23). When the voltage is positive, liquid from the outside cannot penetrate the fabric unless it is under a penetration pressure of a certain height of water column: for example, at 6V, 4.9cm high water column (FIG. 24).

The inner and outer layers of the electrode may also be carbon fiber cloth, which may be treated to have hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity, respectively, in localized areas. The middle layer may be a nylon membrane with a pore size of 0.45 μm, and a thin, highly porous nonwoven adhesive backing (fuse nonwoven interlinings) is used to fuse the layers together.

Example 7

Controllable liquid transfer fabric for driving liquid movement by regulating temperature in local area

The external stimulus may also be temperature. Temperature-sensitive materials such as hydrogels that are hydrophobic at lower temperatures and hydrophilic at higher temperatures may be externally coated in localized areas (i.e., second regions). The fabric remains hydrophobic on both sides at a given temperature (e.g., a low critical solution temperature equal to 35 ℃), repelling external liquids; when body temperature rises above 35 ℃ due to activity (such as exercise) or due to elevated ambient temperatures, the outer portion becomes hydrophilic, thereby facilitating controlled directional liquid transfer through the channel. To actively control liquid delivery, wettability can be changed by heating the fabric using built-in thermally conductive wires coated with an electrically conductive paint or combined with a heat sensing plate (heat pad) (fig. 25).

Example 8

Controllable liquid-transmitting fabric for driving liquid movement by ultrasonic oscillation in local area

The ultrasonic humidifier adopts high-frequency oscillation, and throws water away from the water surface through high-frequency resonance of the atomizing sheet to generate naturally elegant water mist. The present embodiment utilizes the principle of ultrasonic humidifier to closely attach the porous atomizing sheet to the outer surface of the fabric, and provides a controllable liquid transmission fabric that drives the liquid to move in a local area by ultrasonic high-frequency oscillation, as shown in fig. 27. The diameter of the atomizing plate is 20 + -5 mm, the aperture is 5 + -1 μm, and the number of the holes is 985 + -245. When the fabric wetted by human sweat contacts the atomizing sheet, high-frequency oscillation of 108 +/-5 KHZ is supplied under the condition of 5V voltage, sweat in the fabric is atomized into smaller liquid particles through high-frequency resonance of the atomizing sheet and thrown into the air to be naturally and rapidly volatilized, and then controllable transmission of liquid is driven. In order to improve the atomization effect of the atomization sheet to the maximum extent, the fabric is designed into a local tree-shaped drainage structure with the liquid directional transmission performance (the method in the embodiment 1, 3,4 or 5 can be adopted), and sweat is drained and atomized intensively. The atomization rate of a single atomization sheet is 30-60g/h, the penetrating water pressure is equivalent to a water column with the height of 17cm, and extremely high water transport unidirectionality is shown. Considering the damage of salt in sweat to the atomizing sheet, a salt filtering membrane can be added inside the atomizing sheet to relieve the damage.

The fabric may be implanted in a portable battery unit or power source and the two electrodes connected to the power source by a thin cable. A microcontroller DC-DC converter may also be connected to the portable power pack for providing voltage, increasing portability and reducing weight. The on/off mode is switched quickly and the voltage value is easily adjusted to program the operating time.

In addition, the ultrasonic oscillating atomization system can be combined with any one or more of the controllable liquid delivery fabrics with different wettabilities over the thickness of the second zone of different shape, the controllable liquid delivery fabrics with locally hydrophilic second zones, the knitted fabrics with controllable liquid delivery properties, or the controllable liquid delivery system with electrically driven liquid movement in the second zone to increase the liquid delivery efficiency thereof.

The foregoing description of the embodiments is provided to facilitate understanding and application of the invention by those skilled in the art. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications to these embodiments may be made, and the generic principles described herein may be applied to other embodiments without the use of the inventive faculty. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed herein, but that modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope of the invention.

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