A textured surface platform for dual-mode temperature regulation in photonic textiles

Abstract

Personal radiative heat regulation using photonic textiles can facilitate a decreased energy consumption in buildings by expanding the range of comfortable ambient conditions. Here, we propose a dual-mode photonic design, which 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 a 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 setpoint 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 setpoint 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 e.g., towards a textile application.