Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Self-Warming Jackets

Posted by michael on from the virtually-zero-electrocution-risk dept.

jeffy124 writes: "Those of you in the frigid north who find their coats unfulfilling of their duties may be interested in a self-warming jacket. By using steel microfibres woven into the fabric plus a lithium battery, heat is actually generated to as much as 114 degrees fahrenheit. The jackets, sadly, come with a nasty price -- US$500. Among those interested in purchasing are skiers (including some Olympians), and the Military."

9 of 284 comments (clear)

  1. I dunno about the submitter's jacket... by Akardam · · Score: 4, Insightful

    ... but most jackets are designed to be "self heating". At least, any good REI type jacket is. They should create multiple layers of air around your body that your body heat will warm, with a protective layer outside that blocks most wind and water.

    Not to say that this isn't cool, but it seems a bit impractical. One wonders if it can sufficently operate as a normal jacket once its battery's worn out.

  2. $500 isn't anything for many skiers by glrotate · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I'm a semi avid skier and I'm amazed at how much people spend on ski crap. $150 bucks for a pair of flimsy nylon pants (like th kind I got at Kmart for $12) isn't uncommon. So I would imagine a selfwarming jacket (if it has stylish logos) at $500 will have no problem selling.

    1. Re:$500 isn't anything for many skiers by Mayor+McPenisman · · Score: 0, Insightful

      fur shorn electrically
      cyborg sheep give metal wool
      what do androids dream?

      HAIKU

      --
      [[Ay fukkand lyke ane furious Fornicatour]]
  3. Murphy by trustno_one · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I think this is a not so good idea.

    - Batteries work very bad/not at all in cold conditions, you world have to keep the entire resupply of batteries inside the jacket.

    - Adds complexity, will probably not work when it is really needed (Murphys laws of combat)

    - Cotton still works very well from -15 deg C
    to -30 -15 deg C, in fact t-shirt, jacket and winter camo works quite well if walking.

    - May be usable as a emergency blanket, if you need to reheat someone suffering from mild hypothermia. Having tried that once, it was not very pleasant.

    1. Re:Murphy by Performer+Guy · · Score: 3, Insightful

      So put the battery INSIDE the jacket. It'll be snug as a bug in there and be operating at ideal temperatures.

    2. Re:Murphy by Lumpy · · Score: 4, Insightful

      this was the point of the military application..

      the armymen are not going to be jogging, doing jumping jacks, etc.. they are going to be sitting in a ditch full of ice and snow, while a blizzard of snow and small bullet shaped pieces of lead fly overhead. you are not moving while you wait it out in a foxhole... so you dont generate heat and you get hypothermia even with 32" of polar fleece wrapped around you. All military footsoldiers have never fought a hard war. in reality, if you are fighting a ground war in a very cold region (because the enemy has been shooting every plane we have out of the sky, and the country is too far inland for the Iowa to lob Volkswagen Bug sized projectiles all over. so far we've fought countries that have no abilities, so in the event we actually have to fight a real ground war this technology would be a life saver. plus it would be a morale booster, which is more important that health during combat.. A warm soldier is a fighting soldier. I pray that we never again fight a war that is anything like the conditions were during WW-II,Vietmnam,Korea..as I am certian that our ground troops are not ready for such conditions.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
  4. Re:military battery safety by pongo000 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Why not just wrap the battery pack up in Kevlar? If a round gets through the Kevlar, you probably have bigger things to worry about then a few stray Li ions...

  5. People are missing the point by fmaxwell · · Score: 5, Insightful

    How many of you have ridden motorcycles in a cold winter climate? I don't care how many layers you have on, what nifty fibers they contain, etc. If you wear something that doesn't breathe, you end up covered in sweat. If you wear something that does breathe, you freeze at highway speeds. That's why heated electric vests are so popular.

    I've only been riding motorcycles for about 28 years, so I expect there will be some people that weren't born when I started riding that are sure that they know far more than I. You will find their responses following this.

  6. Re:military battery safety by Stonehand · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Hrm. What vest would stop a modern rifle round? I was under the impression that most can stop a .38 or 9mm pistol round, but the remaining energy can still crack your ribs... and a rifle cartridge usually has a LOT more power.

    --
    Only the dead have seen the end of war.