New Material Logic: Hydrogels and Aerogels in Textiles

This article analyzes a breakthrough in materials science, introducing the concept of a new material logic based on hydrogels and aerogels. The author describes the evolution of textiles from simple fabrics to advanced systems for managing the body's microclimate. Hydrogels, thanks to their responsiveness to external stimuli, and aerogels, offering record-breaking thermal insulation, are becoming the foundation of modern functional and medical clothing. The text also emphasizes ecological aspects, pointing to biopolymers as a response to the problem of microplastics and excessive greenhouse gas emissions in the fashion industry. This is a glimpse into a future in which materials actively cooperate with the human body, ensuring comfort and safety in the spirit of a circular economy.