What Is Biomimetic Functional Fabric?

Biomimetic refers to simulating nature, usually referring to imitating the structure and working principles of life systems. Applying biomimetic principles to fabric design and development is an innovation in fabric research and development, especially in the filament weaving industry. Thanks to the strong plasticity of synthetic filament, more new elements can be added during the production process to obtain new functional fabrics that meet consumer needs. Biomimetic functional fabric is a type of high-tech fabric obtained by applying this principle.

Common biomimetic fabrics:

1. Water repellent, anti-fouling, self-cleaning multifunctional fabric

A common multifunctional fabric is developed based on the biomimetic principle of lotus leaf effect, which is water repellent, anti-fouling, and self-cleaning. After biomimetic finishing, this type of fabric is prone to dirt rolling off, easily washed away by water without staining the surface, and does not require high temperatures or excessive detergents. It has the characteristics of water conservation, energy conservation, and environmental protection, and is a functional fabric with strong environmental significance.

2. Hollow fiber

Hollow fibers are obtained by imitating animal fur. When people conduct detailed research on animal fur, they find that there are cavities inside the fur, which resemble hollow tubes, so the insulation effect is very good. After being inspired, people began to try to research and manufacture hollow fibers.

In recent years, the types of hollow polyester fibers have been continuously increasing and their application scope has been expanding. The fabric made of hollow polyester FDY filament is mainly used in the production of outdoor sportswear, casual wear, and jackets, with good warmth retention, fluffiness, and softness. Coupled with the irregular cross-section of the fibers, it has excellent moisture absorption and breathability.

3. Color changing fabric

The color changing fabric is the birth of the emergency system for imitating chameleon skin. Using the principles of biomimetics, relevant institutions have successfully developed a photosensitive color changing fiber that can automatically change color. This fiber is highly sensitive to light and humidity, and can change with changes in temperature and humidity in the environment. After adding nano photochromic agents online, this color changing fiber can change its color with the changes in the surrounding environment's light color, and it can also display different colors with the increase of temperature.

Fashion made of color changing fabrics is loved by young people who pursue fashion and personalization. At the same time, it is also widely used in military clothing, and soldiers wearing "color changing military uniforms" can play a good "camouflage" role in actual combat.