Moisture-responsive fabrics have great potential in the development of smart clothing which can respond to changes in the physiological conditions of the wearer and environmental conditions so as to achieve maximum comfort. In this research, the reversible dimensional changes of hygroscopic yarns are utilized to develop responsive fabric structures which widen or narrow their openings depending on moisture content. Experiments showed that these novel fabrics exhibited improved air permeability at higher moisture content, which may be associated with body sweating or a hot, humid climate. The improved air permeability can enhance body cooling for better comfort.
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