The Challenge
Space blankets are found in a variety of places including outer space, marathon races, and first aid kits. They are made from a thin sheet of plastic, which is a static material that that is not able to adapt to changing conditions. This makes it difficult to effectively regulate body temperature.
Innovation Details
The space blanket was inspired by the way squid and other cephalopods are able alter their skin color and texture to blend into their surroundings. They do this by adjusting tiny sacs called chromatophores on their skin, which contain . Similarly, the space blanket contains tiny metal ‘islands’. In the relaxed state, the islands are bunched together and the material reflects and traps heat, like a traditional space blanket. When the material is stretched, the islands spread apart, allowing infrared radiation to go through and heat to escape. It can be stretched and returned to its original state thousands of times.
Temperature-Adaptive Space Blanket Inspired by Squid Skin — Innovation — AskNature
Space blankets are found in a variety of places including outer space, marathon races, and first aid kits. They are made from a thin sheet of plastic, which is a static material that that is not able to adapt to changing conditions. This makes it difficult to effectively regulate body temperature.
Innovation Details
The space blanket was inspired by the way squid and other cephalopods are able alter their skin color and texture to blend into their surroundings. They do this by adjusting tiny sacs called chromatophores on their skin, which contain . Similarly, the space blanket contains tiny metal ‘islands’. In the relaxed state, the islands are bunched together and the material reflects and traps heat, like a traditional space blanket. When the material is stretched, the islands spread apart, allowing infrared radiation to go through and heat to escape. It can be stretched and returned to its original state thousands of times.
Temperature-Adaptive Space Blanket Inspired by Squid Skin — Innovation — AskNature