Cool new threads to keep you warm

A company established by student innovators from the Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) recently unveiled its line of intelligent thermal control clothing products for the winter at an event held in Harbin, Heilongjiang province.

The company showcased 11 garments and wearable products that are tailored to meet the requirements of Heilongjiang's cultural tourism market, including ski suits, down coats, hats and gloves.

Harbin Yunjing Technology Co, established in November 2023 by Zhou Yang, a doctoral student from the School of Electrical Engineering at HIT, organically integrated new two-dimensional materials, intelligent algorithms, novel control systems and cutting-edge creative design to develop the products, which are designed for applications in areas such as heating, sports monitoring and healthcare.

"Product superiority is a crucial factor in market competition," said Zhou, who is also president of the company.

"As one of the core products of our company, the intelligent thermal control outdoor clothing, based on the new MXene two-dimensional material and our energy security system, can achieve rapid heating in one to three seconds at just five volts.

"In laboratory tests, the heating power of this material at the same voltage is 2.5 times that of carbon fiber," he said.

"With a small portable charger, it can achieve instant heating, just like having an electric blanket inside a down jacket, providing hardcore warmth that can withstand temperatures as low as — 40 C."

In contrast to other products with constant temperatures, the company's products employ intelligent algorithms for temperature control, significantly extending their heating time. The company has also chosen a comfortable, washable material.

Additionally, the system can be applied in broader fields, such as new energy vehicles and satellite battery management.

So far, the company has received 10 national-level scientific and technological innovation awards for its achievement, and it has applied for, and been granted, eight national invention patents and utility model patents.

"Another important factor for a company's development is the talent," said Zhou. "All 10 members of the research and development team are top undergraduates, graduates or doctoral students at HIT."

The company has reached cooperation agreements with several authorized production enterprises for the 9th Asian Winter Games, which opened on Friday in Harbin, and has assisted two large ski equipment makers in developing new and upgraded products using its technologies.

Xi Yuyan, a sophomore from the School of Architecture at the HIT's Shenzhen campus, designed the intelligent thermal control hat and scarf set based on the Games' mascots, the Siberian tigers Binbin and Nini.

"I hope my design can provide visitors some heartfelt warmth and convey the enthusiastic emotions of Harbin," she said.

"Our team aims to help tourists overcome their fear of the cold and provide them with a wonderful experience while enjoying the ice and snow," Zhou said.

"We will continue to intensify our R&D, hoping to bring new technology and better services to consumers, and contribute to the ice and snow economy in the province."