A Textured Surface Platform for Dual-Mode Temperature Regulation in Photonic Textiles

Abstract

Personal radiative heat regulation using photonic textiles can facilitate decreased energy consumption in buildings by expanding the range of comfortable ambient conditions. Here, we propose a dual-mode photonic design that modulates the emissivity using a textured membrane that changes its surface structure between flat and wrinkled. The dual nature of the design is achieved through varying high and low surface emissivity to provide both cooling and heating functions. Theoretical calculations employing a variety of potential materials and geometries predict a substantial thermoregulation potential of the design with a set point window of up to 5.5 °C, which is achieved using a Lambertian surface texture from zinc oxide at the frontal surface. Furthermore, we fabricate a proof-of-concept demonstrating thermal comfort in a set point temperature window of about 3 °C, with further room for improvement. This design leverages the concept of diffusing surfaces, well-known in the photovoltaics field, toward a textile application.