Japanese manufacturer Sumitomo Metal Mining Co has showcased its heat-producing Solament material in a jacket displayed at the annual SXSW festival in Austin, Texas.
Sumitomo Metal Mining Co collaborated with consultant Droga5 Tokyo and fashion designer Kosuke Tsumura to create the jacket as a way of demonstrate the innovative material's potential.
Named the Down-Less Down Jacket, the coat has a typical puffer jacket silhouette, but is hollow between the transparent layers of material where the feathers of a traditional down jacket would be contained.
Down-Less Down Jacket uses infrared-retaining technology to warm the wearer
Instead of using feathers or a synthetic material for warmth, the jacket's Solament material utilises a particle developed by Sumitomo Metal Mining Co called CWO to absorb near-infrared light, which is invisible to the human eye. The material converts the near-infrared light it into heat, warming the body "instantly".

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"The apparel industry is known for having one of the highest environmental footprints," said Tsumura. "Solament is a fascinating, futuristic material harnessing solar energy."
"It grants excellent warmth, enabling effects comparable to down jackets without using actual down," he continued.
It utilises a nanoparticle that can both produce and block heat
Beyond the ...