This jacket made of stainless steel yarn will harvest the sun’s energy to keep you warm

By Lulu Chang Published January 27, 2016

We’re powering just about everything with the sun these days, so why not throw clothes into the mix? Such is the concept behind ThermalTech, a new material trend at the intersection of fashion, technology, and eco-friendliness that harvests the energy of the sun to keep its wearer warm. The ingenious new fabric is constructed with stainless steel yarn, and it gathers both solar rays and artificial light, resulting in a material that is as lightweight as it is cozy. Now, ThermalTech jackets are available on Indiegogo, and the team behind the innovation promises outerwear that “instantly transform[s] the sun’s rays into heat for your body.”

Deviating from traditional jackets, whose technology has only slowly evolved over the past few decades, ThermalTech outerwear doesn’t look to “recycle body heat” in order to provide warmth. Instead, this 21st-century garment absorbs “energy from indoor and outdoor light to bring warmth to the wearer within minutes,” generating up to 18°F of heat in just two minutes, regardless of external temperatures.

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“We believe that by introducing this solar-absorbing fabric into the apparel marketplace, the next generation of outerwear will provide the consumer with even more of an optimal temperature & fit,” said Carlos Cortes, CEO of ThermalTech. “This will allow everyone from the snowboarder to the fashionista to be warmer in colder climates.”

Currently, the company is offering three different jacket styles in six colors for both men and women featuring the new material. If you order on Indiegogo right now, you’ll get the 50-percent-off price of $139 for the Street jacket, which is further described as being “Perfect for running errands, taking the dogs for a walk or taking a nice stroll” when outside temperatures are 32 to 50° F. The other two more expensive jacket varieties (both currently priced at $169) are meant for colder temperatures.

“We are very excited to bring this technology to market,” said Fatima Rocha, co-founder of ThermalTech. “Our goal is to help people stay warm in any environment without having to sacrifice fashion or comfort.”

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