By QI Liming

If humans had hair like polar bears, they could withstand extreme cold without heavy coats. Inspired by the hollow structure of polar bear hair, researchers from Zhejiang University have developed an aerogel fiber that can be woven into textiles for high-performance thermal clothing.

Fabric made from a new type of fiber that mimics polar bear hair. (PHOTO: Zhejiang University)

Polar bear hairs are hollow, trapping large amounts of air to minimize heat loss through conduction and convection—principles similar to those used in advanced insulation garments.

Aerogel, known as the world’s lightest solid, is widely recognized for its superior thermal insulation. By mimicking the core-shell structure of polar bear hair, the team created an encapsulated aerogel fiber: the core provides exceptional warmth by reducing heat dissipation, while the shell ensures mechanical strength and durability.

This innovative material not only retains traditional insulation properties but also effectively blocks body infrared radiation, enhancing heat retention. Importantly, it can be directly processed into fabrics using standard commercial textile equipment.

While current production costs remain high, scalable industrial manufacturing is expected to drive down expenses and enable widespread availability of this ultra-warm “polar bear sweater” in the future.

Editor | SONG Ziyan
Supervisor | TIAN Xueke