Cutting-edge thermal control clothes debut in 'Ice City'

A company formed by student innovators from the Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) unveiled its intelligent thermal control clothing products for the winter season at an event held in China's "Ice City" Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang province.

The event, themed "Empowering Cultural Tourism, Assisting the Asian Winter Games", showcased 11 intelligent thermal control clothing and wearable products tailored to the actual needs of Heilongjiang's cultural tourism market, including ski suits, down coats, hats and gloves.

Harbin Yunjing Technology Co Ltd, established in November 2023 by Zhou Yang, a doctoral student from the School of Electrical Engineering at the HIT, drew inspiration from the multi-energy complementarity design concept in the power grid.

The team organically integrated new two-dimensional materials, intelligent algorithms, novel control systems, and cutting-edge creative design to develop innovative products applicable in areas such as heating, sports monitoring and healthcare.

"Product superiority is a crucial factor for market competition," said Zhou, who is also president of the company. "As one of the core products of our company, the intelligent thermal control outdoor clothing based on the new two-dimensional material MXene and energy security system, can achieve rapid heating in one to three seconds at low voltages of within five volts.

"In laboratory tests, the heating power of this material at the same voltage is 2.5 times that of carbon fiber," he said. "With a small portable charger, it can achieve instant heating, just like having an electric blanket inside a down jacket, providing hard-core warmth that can withstand temperatures as low as — 40 C."

In contrast to other products with constant temperatures, the company's products employ intelligent algorithms for temperature control, significantly extending the heating time.

The company has also chosen a material with washable and softer properties.

Additionally, the system can be applied in broader fields such as new energy vehicles and satellite battery management.

So far, the company has received 10 national-level scientific and technological innovation awards for its achievement and it has applied for and been granted eight national invention patents and utility model patents.

"Another important factor for a company's development is the talent team," said Zhou. "All 10 members of the research and development team are top undergraduates, graduates or doctoral students at the HIT."

The company has reached cooperation agreements with several authorized production enterprises for the 9th Asian Winter Games, which will open on Feb 7 in Harbin, and has assisted two large ski equipment makers in product iteration and upgrades using relevant technologies.

Xi Yuyan, a sophomore from the school of architecture and design at HIT's Shenzhen campus, designed the intelligent thermal control hat and scarf set based on the Game's mascots Binbin and Nini, a pair of cute Siberian tigers.

"I hope my design can offer visitors heartfelt warmth and convey the enthusiastic emotional value of Harbin," she said.

Zhou believes that this winter will be a highlight for Harbin as well as the entire province.

"Our team aims to help tourists not be afraid of the cold weather and provide them with a wonderful experience of enjoying the ice and snow by using our newly developed devices," he said. "We will continue to intensify R&D of intelligent ice and snow equipment products, hoping to bring scientific technology and better services to consumers and contribute business strength to the ice and snow economy in the province."

Contact the writers at zhouhuiying@chinadaily.com.cn