Wearable Passive Thermal Management Functional Textiles: Recent Advances in Personal Comfort and Energy Harvesting Applications

Abstract

Smart textiles, enabled by innovations in functional fibers and advanced material design, are revolutionizing thermal management within the human micro-environment. This review comprehensively examines the latest advancements in wearable passive thermal management (PTM) technologies, which synergistically regulate body temperature and harvest wasted thermal energy. By elucidating heat transfer mechanisms—including radiation, conduction, convection, and evaporation—we emphasize the critical role of textiles in modulating these pathways to achieve personal thermal comfort and energy sustainability. Key material strategies, such as radiative-controlled fibers for solar reflection and infrared emission, phase change materials (PCMs) for latent heat storage, and thermally conductive/insulative fibers for dynamic regulation, have been explored. The integration of thermoelectric generators (TEGs) into textiles is highlighted, demonstrating their potential to convert body heat into electrical energy through Seebeck and thermogalvanic effects. Emerging technologies, including Janus fabrics with switchable radiative properties and humidity-responsive fibers, further enhance adaptability across diverse environments. Notably, the incorporation of machine learning frameworks and AI-driven design paradigms has accelerated the development of predictive thermal models and optimized nanostructures, bridging laboratory innovations with industrial scalability. Challenges in durability, comfort, and large-scale manufacturing are critically addressed, underscoring the need for interdisciplinary collaboration. This review underscores the transformative potential of fiber-based PTM systems in reducing the reliance on energy-intensive heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, advancing sustainable micro-environment solutions, and powering next-generation wearable electronics. Future perspectives emphasize intelligent material systems, ethical AI integration, and multifunctional textile architectures to realize personalized comfort and global energy sustainability.

Graphical Abstract

Overview of wearable passive thermal management systems

Keywords

Thermal management / Energy harvesting / Smart textiles / Radiative cooling / Phase change materials / Thermoelectric generators / Functional fibers / Artificial intelligence / Textile applications

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Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China(51873134)

Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province of China(BK20211317)

Major Basic Research Project of the Natural Science Foundation of the Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions(23KJA430014)

China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2022M712302)

Key Laboratory of Jiangsu Province for Silk Engineering

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Donghua University, Shanghai, China