TUCHONG

With summer quickly approaching, it’s the time of the year in which people like to switch out their wardrobes for the new season. But how about adding something high-tech to the summer looks? Let’s check out some of the ways in which technology is changing the clothes people wear.
夏天迅速來臨，每年這個時節(jié)，人們都會更換自己衣櫥里的衣物，迎接新的一季。不過，在夏日造型中加入一點高科技元素怎么樣？讓我們看看科技是如何改變人們穿著的。

Whatever the weather

隨天氣變化調節(jié)體溫

A Chinese research team has developed 3D printing techniques that can yield a fabric with the ability to regulate temperatures. The technology they used is phase change materials – materials that change properties depending on the environment.

一個中國科研團隊開發(fā)出一項3D打印技術，可以制造出能夠調節(jié)體溫的織物。該技術使用相變材料，其性能會隨環(huán)境變化而變化。

The team trapped a polymer inside a fabric that can alternate between a crystal and a non-crystal form. While it can absorb heat in its crystal form, it can release heat in its non-crystal form, therefore regulating the wearer’s temperature.

該團隊在這種織物中置入一種聚合物，其形態(tài)可以在晶體和非晶體之間交替轉換。聚合物在晶體形態(tài)時可以吸收熱量，而處于非晶體形態(tài)時，又能夠釋放熱量，因此可以調節(jié)穿戴者的體溫。

Zhang Yongyi, a part of the team who studies nanotechnology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Suzhou, said it is the first time “a scalable and controllable 3D printing strategy” has been used to create such clothing.
中國科學院蘇州納米所研究員張永毅表示，這是首次應用“可擴張、可控制的3D打印策略”，制造這種衣物。

Powered by movement
依靠動作發(fā)電

Scientists in South Korea have developed a wearable fabric that generates electricity as it bends and stretches. Wearers only need to move naturally to power small electronic devices.
韓國科學家開發(fā)出一種可穿戴的織物，能夠在彎曲和伸展時產生電能。穿戴者只需要自然地做動作，就可以為小型電子設備供電。

The clothing incorporates a variety of nanogenerators that can use friction to create energy, which can then be effectively stored. Although the clothes contain a small number of electrical components, the clothing feels completely normal.
這種衣物內含多種納米發(fā)電機，可以利用摩擦產生能量，然后高效加以儲存。衣物雖然內置少量電子元件，但感覺起來完全正常。

Sang-Woo Kim, who works at the Sungkyunkwan University, South Korea, is proud of his team’s work in developing the clothing. “It feels like an ordinary jacket,” he told Science News for Students after wearing the clothing developed.
韓國成均館大學的金相宇（音）對其團隊開發(fā)出這種衣物頗感自豪，他穿著研發(fā)出的衣服接受《學生科學新聞》采訪時表示，“感覺就像一件普通的夾克。”

Sending signals
發(fā)送信號

In another amazing research, clothes could serve as devices themselves. A team of engineering students from the University of Washington, US, have led these efforts by stitching conductive thread into cotton t-shirts. The clothing can then send signals that can be received by cellphones.
在另一項驚人的研究中，衣物本身就可以作為設備使用。美國華盛頓大學的一群工程學專業(yè)的學生努力鉆研，將導電線縫進了棉質T恤中。然后，這些衣物就可以發(fā)送手機能夠接收的信號了。

以上文章內容選自《21世紀學生英文報》高一870期