Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Science
Donna Lu Science writer

Sweat-wicking and radiative cooling: can new fabrics make living through extreme heat more bearable?

Smiling woman holds sheet of purple fabric near face
Dr Shadi Houshyar and a team at RMIT University have developed fabric coated with a thin layer of nanodiamonds that is 2C to 3C cooler than cotton. Photograph: Christopher Hopkins

This year is on track to be the hottest in recorded history. With rising temperatures and more intense and frequent heatwaves, keeping cool in summer will get harder. Air conditioning can only go so far, especially when extreme heat raises the risk of electricity outages.

Wearing light, loose-fitting clothing is well recognised health advice to beat the heat in sweltering temperatures, especially important given that heatwaves kill more people than any other extreme weather event.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.