Research faculty at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) are developing a lightweight material designed around the properties of polar bear fur. Apparently polar bear hair is hollow, unlike the hair of humans and other mammals. This gives the polar bear not only its white appearance, but more importantly the ability to withstand the extreme conditions they face, especially in the winter. They are not able to hibernate like other species of bears, so they must roam the ice and continually be in and out of the water in search for food.
This new technology will provide materials with significant thermal insulation properties, flexibility, and resistance to very humid conditions, the desired properties for a wide variety of applications. The new material consists of millions of hollow carbon tubes like polar bear hair, wound like spaghetti into shapes that are very "stretchy", another advantage of this new technology.
The USTC researchers see applications in the construction and aerospace industry. I see a potential in the winter clothing market for a coat that protects you in those "polar bear" winters. - Dr. Tom
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