Designed to keep wearers warm in cold environments, this innovation addresses the serious health risks posed by prolonged exposure to very low temperatures, including hemoconcentration-based arterial blood clotting, breathing difficulties, and weakened immunity.

Cold temperatures

Extreme cold temperatures can lead to health problems that can even be fatal. Studies indicate that deaths due to extreme cold outnumber those caused by extreme heat, say sources from IIT Guwahati.

Conductive textiles offer a lightweight, flexible alternative, but existing versions often have limitations, such as poor durability, high power consumption, and vulnerability to water exposure.

Overcoming challenges

To overcome these challenges, IIT Guwahati research team developed a novel approach by sprayed ultra-thin and clean silver nanowires onto cotton fabric to make it conductive.

These nanowires are 100,000 times thinner than a human hair, allowing electricity to flow through the fabric, helping it generate heat while remaining soft and flexible, say IIT Guwahati researchers.

Due to its exceptional electrical conductivity and the ability to convert both electricity and sunlight into heat, silver nanowires were chosen for this experiment.

To address this, researchers applied a water-repellent coating to the silver nanowires that protects against oxidation, water, and stains.

The coating, inspired by lotus leaves, has a microscopic rough surface texture, which causes water to roll off instead of soaking in.

This keeps the textile dry, ensuring long-lasting conductivity and effective heating, even in damp conditions.

The water-repellent coating also prevents damage from sweat, rain, or accidental spills, making it reliable for outdoor and everyday applications.

The low electrical resistance of silver allows the electrothermal conversion at low applied voltage and eliminating the risk of electrocution.

Electricity

The textile can convert electricity using a small rechargeable battery or solar energy into heat and can maintain a desired temperature between 40°C and 60°C for over 10 hours.

Testing

The researchers tested the textile in wearable knee and elbow bands, demonstrating its potential to provide sustained warmth for individuals working in cold environments and arthritis patients needing localized heat therapy, say sources from IIT Guwahati.

Additionally, the textile has broader applications, such as on-demand water heating and accelerating chemical reactions by wrapping it around the reaction vessels.

Developed textile

Speaking about the developed textile, Prof. Uttam Manna, said their textile is self-cleanable, breathable, and flexible and can easily be scaled up.

Its durability and long-lasting performance make it useful in a range of applications that require controlled heating, he said.

Additionally, the team is seeking industry collaborations to bring the innovation to market for potential dry thermos-therapy applications in the near future.

About IIT Guwahati

Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, established in 1994, completed 25 years of glorious existence in 2019.

At present, the Institute has eleven departments, nine interdisciplinary academic centres and five schools.

They cover all the major engineering, science, healthcare, management, and humanities disciplines, offering BTech, BDes, BSc(Hons), MA, MDes, MTech, MSc, MS(R), MBA and PhD programmes.

The institute offers a residential campus to 455 faculty members and more than 8,600 students at present.

Also Read – IIT Guwahati hosts great pre-consultation event

Admission into BArch or Bachelor’s in Architecture course is sought by students in large numbers across India, lot of colleges offer admission in BArch based on the score of NATA which is also known as National Aptitude Test in Architecture.

While this NATA 2025 study plan aims at helping students pass NATA exam this year, even those who are waiting to write the exam in near future too can refer this to help them commence their study well in advance. More about NATA 2025 study plan is mentioned below for the sake of the students:

1. Part A: 120 minutes, 60 questions (Multiple Choice Questions)
2. Part B: 90 minutes, 2 questions (Drawing Test)

Creating a NATA 2025 Preparation Plan

To develop an effective NATA 2025 preparation plan, follow these steps:

1. Set realistic goals: Break down your study material into manageable chunks, and set achievable goals for each study session.

2. Identify your weaknesses: Focus on improving your weak areas, and allocate more time to those subjects.

3. Allocate time wisely: Divide your study time into two sections: Part A (Mathematics, General Aptitude, and Logical Reasoning) and Part B (Drawing Test).

Study Materials for NATA 2025 Preparation Plan

To aid your NATA 2025 preparation plan, utilize the following study materials:

1. NCERT textbooks: Focus on NCERT textbooks for Mathematics and General Aptitude, as they provide a solid foundation.

2. Reference books: Supplement your NCERT textbooks with reference books like RS Aggarwal, SL Loney, and OP Tandon.

3. Online resources: Utilize online resources like Khan Academy, Unacademy, and BYJU’S for additional study materials.

Practice and Revision for NATA 2025 Preparation Plan

Practice and revision are crucial components of NATA 2025 preparation plan. Follow these tips:

1. Take mock tests: Regularly take mock tests to assess your knowledge, identify weak areas, and improve your time management skills.

2. Practice previous year’s papers: Practice previous year’s papers to get familiar with the exam pattern and question types.

3. Create revision notes: Create concise revision notes for each subject, highlighting key concepts and formulas.

1. Create a schedule: Plan out your study schedule in advance, allocating specific times for each subject.

2. Use time-blocking: Divide your study time into focused blocks, eliminating distractions during each block.

3. Take breaks: Take regular breaks to avoid burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Staying Motivated for NATA 2025 Preparation Plan

Staying motivated is crucial for NATA 2025 preparation plan. Follow these tips:

1. Remind yourself of your goals: Keep your goals in mind, and remind yourself why you’re working towards NATA 2025.

2. Celebrate small victories: Reward yourself for small milestones achieved during your NATA 2025 preparation plan journey.

3. Seek support: Surround yourself with supportive friends and family, and consider joining a study group for motivation.

Final Tips for NATA 2025 Preparation Plan

1. Stay consistent: Consistency is key to success in NATA 2025 preparation plan.

2. Practice under timed conditions: Practice solving questions under timed conditions to improve your speed and accuracy.

3. Stay positive: Maintain a positive attitude throughout your NATA 2025 preparation plan journey.

By incorporating these final tips into your NATA 2025 preparation plan, you’ll be well on your way to achieving success.

Also Read – NIRF 2024 Top 20 Architecture Colleges, Great For Studies