A team of Portuguese researchers has created smart sportswear made of cotton that emits a lemony citronella aroma upon contact with sweat.
In recent years, scientists have developed smart fabrics that react to stimuli such as light, temperature or mechanical stress and respond in certain ways, such as by changing color or conducting an electrical signal.
According to the Phys.org website, the team led by Carla Silva and Artur Cavaco-Paulo has explored different methods to release fragrances from fabrics in response to sweat.
The first approach involved an odorant-binding protein (OBP) that binds to cotton. These proteins attach to β-citronellol and other scent molecules to emit a lemony aroma in response to sweat, the German news agency reported.
In their second strategy, the researchers packaged the fragrance in liposomes that when exposed an acidic sweat solution, release β-citronelloll into the cotton fabric.
Comparing the two strategies revealed that the OBP used in the first approach released a quick burst of scent, while the liposomes in the second approach showed a slower, controlled release.
The liposomes could also hold more fragrance than the other approach.
The two strategies could prove useful for different clothing applications, the researchers concluded.
