Skip to main content

Forget IcyHot — This silver nanowire mesh relieves muscle soreness without chemicals

forget icyhot this silver nanowire mesh relieves muscle soreness without chemicals heating pad
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Shaquille O’Neal better do those IcyHot commercials while he still can, because there’s a new piece of wearable tech on the loose that does pretty much the same thing — but it’s also reusable, and doesn’t rely on chemicals to work.

A team of researchers led by scientists at the Center for Nanoparticle Research at the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) in Seoul have created a silver mesh sleeve made of nanowire that produces heat and stays on your joints, no matter how much you move, shake, and bend them. Whereas previous technologies have developed similar solutions, this is the first to be both cost effective and actually effective, with a mesh that wraps easily around any part of the body and stays put, providing constant, soothing relief.

Recommended Videos

In a press release, IBS explains, “The silver nanowires are tiny, averaging ∼150 nm in diameter and ∼30 μm in length (a human hair ranges from 17 to 181 µm).  The nanowires were mixed into a liquid elastic material which is both soft and stretchy when dry.” Furthermore, “To ensure that the material remains tight on the target area while heating, the team devised a 2-D interlocking coil pattern for the mesh structure. To make the mesh, the liquid mixture was poured into a shaped mold.  The silver-elastic mesh was sandwiched between a top and bottom layer of soft, thin insulation.”

Screen Shot 2015-07-06 at 12.18.22 PM
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Please enable Javascript to view this content

The mesh outstrips its traditional competitors in more ways than one — not only is it supremely malleable, but it also maintains a constant temperature for as long as your sore muscles may need it to do so. Says IBS, “Commercially available electric heating pads are sufficient for applying heat to an injured area but their cords need to be attached to an A/C outlet to work. This is where the new technology trumps the old. The mesh maintains a constant temperature instead of cooling down during use and is battery powered so it doesn’t need an outlet.”

While there’s no word yet on when the average consumer will be able to buy such a life-changing piece of wearable technology, scientists believe that once the silver nanowire mesh hits the market, the applications will be endless. “This technology could be used as a lightweight heating element in ski jackets,” IBS says, “Or as a hyper-efficient seat warmer in a car.” Better yet, the nanowires could be molded to form a glove so that entire areas of your body could be completely covered by a warm, relaxing material.

So get ready to get rid of those IcyHot patches. There’s a new nanowire in town.

Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
Hyundai Ioniq 5 sets world record for greatest altitude change
hyundai ioniq 5 world record altitude change mk02 detail kv

When the Guinness World Records (GWR) book was launched in 1955, the idea was to compile facts and figures that could finally settle often endless arguments in the U.K.’s many pubs.

It quickly evolved into a yearly compilation of world records, big and small, including last year's largest grilled cheese sandwich in the world.

Read more
Global EV sales expected to rise 30% in 2025, S&P Global says
ev sales up 30 percent 2025 byd sealion 7 1stbanner l

While trade wars, tariffs, and wavering subsidies are very much in the cards for the auto industry in 2025, global sales of electric vehicles (EVs) are still expected to rise substantially next year, according to S&P Global Mobility.

"2025 is shaping up to be ultra-challenging for the auto industry, as key regional demand factors limit demand potential and the new U.S. administration adds fresh uncertainty from day one," says Colin Couchman, executive director of global light vehicle forecasting for S&P Global Mobility.

Read more
Faraday Future could unveil lowest-priced EV yet at CES 2025
Faraday Future FF 91

Given existing tariffs and what’s in store from the Trump administration, you’d be forgiven for thinking the global race toward lower electric vehicle (EV) prices will not reach U.S. shores in 2025.

After all, Chinese manufacturers, who sell the least expensive EVs globally, have shelved plans to enter the U.S. market after 100% tariffs were imposed on China-made EVs in September.

Read more