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There are few things more comforting than the feeling of a warm, cozy sweater on a cold day.
Whether it's the soft, familiar knit of a well-worn favourite or the luxurious, plush fabric of a new piece, a good jumper can make all the difference in keeping the chill at bay. But what exactly would constitute the perfectly warm jumper?
While perfect is relative, materials science has been changing the way we define a ‘warm jumper’.
Graphene & Fashion industry
Graphene is a game-changing material that is quickly gaining traction in the fashion industry. This ultra-thin, ultra-strong, and lightweight material is made of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal pattern, and it boasts an impressive array of properties that make it ideal for use in clothing.
One of the key benefits of graphene in clothing is its ability to improve thermal conductivity. This means that garments made with graphene can help regulate body temperature and keep the wearer warm in cold weather. Graphene is also highly breathable, making it comfortable to wear in hot weather.
In addition to its thermal and breathability properties, graphene is also highly flexible and stretchable, making it ideal for use in garments that require a high level of movement. It is also extremely durable and resistant to wear and tear, making it perfect for clothing that will be worn frequently. Plus, it is water-resistant and stain-resistant, making it a great choice for outdoor clothing and active wear.
With its many impressive properties, graphene has the potential to revolutionise the way we think about clothing and is pushing the boundaries of science and technology.
The human comfort zone
Have you ever noticed how your body can feel warm all over even if certain parts, like your head and hands, are exposed to the cold? This is because the human body is incredibly skilled at regulating its own temperature within a certain "comfort zone," which is typically in the low 20s Celsius. However, people aren't always great at detecting temperature in anything other than broad terms.
This is where warm jumpers come in handy. By helping your body keep your torso warm, a jumper can trick your body into feeling warm all over, even if your head and hands are exposed. But what if you want to stay warm without the bulk of chunky knitwear? Until now, your only option may have been to crank up the heat.
The high price of heating
While turning up the heat may seem like an easy solution to stay warm, it comes with its own set of problems. For one, rising energy prices have made home heating increasingly expensive, and there is no indication that these costs will go down anytime soon.
Additionally, heating has a significant environmental impact, making it hard to justify solely for the sake of staying warm in your favourite jumper, no matter how ugly it may be.
Heating works by raising the temperature of a room or entire area to the "comfort zone" range, which reduces the difference between skin and air temperature and lowers the amount of heat lost through the skin and through breathing.
However, it's the volume of air that needs to be heated, not just the air around your body, that becomes an issue. Even if you only heat a single room, the amount of air that needs to be warmed is likely much larger than necessary.
How heating hurts the planet
Domestic heating is a major contributor to environmental harm for a variety of reasons.
In the UK, household heating accounts for roughly 22% of total energy consumption, and much of this heating is powered by gas, which directly contributes to carbon emissions. Even non-gas heating methods require energy production, which also has an environmental impact.
Furthermore, heating is often inefficient, as it heats large areas that provide no benefit and wastes a significant amount of energy. As the UK experiences increasingly extreme weather due to climate change, reducing domestic energy use will be crucial in meeting emission reduction targets and mitigating further damage.
One solution to this issue is the use of heated clothing, which allows you to stay warm without relying on energy-intensive heating methods. By switching out your warmest jumper for a heated version, you can significantly reduce your energy use and costs while also doing your part to protect the environment.
The most effective and efficient solution
As the winter chill begins to set in, many of us find ourselves constantly seeking out sources of heat to keep warm. But what if we could generate heat directly within our clothing, allowing us to maintain a cozy feeling for as long as we wear them? Enter heated clothing – the innovative solution to your cold weather woes.
The concept of using heat to warm our garments is not a new one. We've all experienced the comfort of slipping into a garment that has been warmed by a radiator or a fire, even if that warmth doesn't last very long. But thanks to advances in materials and battery technology, heated clothing is now a much safer and more practical option.
One of the main benefits of heated clothing is that it warms the body directly, rather than heating an entire room or house. This means that the heating elements don't have to get as hot, since they don't need to compensate for heat loss through radiation.
Plus, the use of innovative materials like graphene in heated garments makes them more durable and able to withstand the wear and tear of everyday use. In the past, electric heating was achieved by running a current through a wire, which was not only potentially dangerous but also prone to snapping. However, with the use of modern materials and batteries, these issues are now a thing of the past.
So why shiver when you could be toasty warm? Upgrade to heated clothing and never let the cold weather get you down again. The unique properties of graphene and other innovative materials make heated garments the ultimate choice for staying warm and comfortable all winter long.
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Don't forget to check out our Heated Jumper here!