On June 28, the 2018 Asia Outdoor Trade Show was held at the Nanjing International Expo Center, where numerous outdoor brands gathered to showcase the latest outdoor trends and new tech materials.
And in the premium exhibition area of China's “CHAIN” Outdoor Industry Supply Chain Strategy Theme Event (Hall 5, Booth 5.5200), what media reporters saw on-site were theJERNANOclothing heating productsbrought by Suzhou JD Nano Technology Co., Ltd.,which are one of the representatives of smart wearables and new tech materials. In an interview,Dr. Li Da,
Senior R&D Manager at Suzhou JD Nano Technology Co., Ltd.,
Reporter: Please give a brief introduction to our product first.
Li Da:Our product is mainly a clothing heating system, which primarily consists of carbon nanotube film heating sheets, temperature sensors, controllers, wires, and other components.
Reporter: Why did you think of applying this kind of smart technology to clothing?
Li Da:When we engage in outdoor activities or professional sports in winter, the biggest headache is wearing thick and bulky clothing. On one hand, it doesn’t look good, and on the other, it’s heavy and restricts movement. How can we stay warm while wearing less in winter? Smart wearables are a great direction to explore. Our clothing heating system is a product developed based on such real market needs.
Reporter: What are the advantages of our product?
Li Da:First, after overcoming many challenges, our heating sheet can now withstand 30+ wash cycles. After washing, the heating sheet still functions normally, with a service life of up to 10,000 hours.
Second, we have built-in temperature sensors with temperature control accuracy of ±1°C. The reason for including a temperature sensor is safety. Without a temperature control chip, the maximum temperature of a heated garment could even exceed 60°C, which can easily cause burns and even pose a fire hazard. Our temperature sensor keeps the temperature within a safe range to prevent overheating.
Reporter: In which fields are our products currently being used?
Li Da:One is the outdoor products field, which is relatively common and easier to develop. Professional outdoor athletes and enthusiasts greatly need lightweight yet warm clothing, and these customers also pay more attention to the development of such products. We have already partnered with well-known outdoor brands and are actively connecting with more domestic and international clients.
Another is ultra-thin heating belts similar to infrared waistbands, which use far-infrared light waves and heating systems to relieve lower back pain. Unlike other similar products, ours are thinner and offer higher comfort.
Reporter: How do you view the current state and future trends of the smart wearable market?
Li Da:Actually, a few years ago, the market was already saying that the “smart wearable” era had arrived. But in reality, after several years of development, the smart wearable market still hasn’t truly matured. On one hand, high prices mean it remains a niche market. On the other, some of the smart wearables currently on the market may not be what consumers actually need. More importantly, smart wearable technology itself has not yet reached a truly mature stage. Take our product as an example — during R&D, we faced many challenges: from being prone to breakage to now withstanding 30+ washes, from unstable heating to now achieving uniform heat distribution and precise temperature control... We had to overcome many technical hurdles and conduct rigorous testing because only when it is truly safe and comfortable can it be launched to the market.
But we can also see and understand that smart wearable technology will become increasingly mature, and this market will gradually reveal its potential. In my view, in 2018 and 2019, the development of smart wearables will definitely reach a new level.
Reprinted from Huayi Net