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Skyscrape makes temperature-responsive insulation
Skyscrape makes temperature responsive fabrics for a new type of clothing. These fabrics literally change shape in response to a change in temperature: the fabrics become thicker and insulate more as the temperature drops, and they become thinner and insulate less as the temperature rises again. This "intelligent insulation" has no wires or sensors, and the fabric's shape-changing behavior comes from a natural materials response. Skyscrape’s fabrics offer expanded thermal comfort across a wider temperature range than conventional clothing. Creating textiles that could change shape with changing temperatures required years of laboratory work by an interdisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, designers, and weavers, designing and refining machines and processes to make yarns and fabrics that could adapt to the environment. Skyscrape's first market entry was with Ralph Lauren in the 2022 Team USA Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony.
Skyscrape develops temperature-responsive insulating fabrics that change thickness and insulation in response to ambient temperature. The fabric acts as a thermometer and aims to enable apparel that adapts to conditions without sensors or wires.
The fabric uses a yarn-and-fabric structure that expands and contracts with temperature, causing the material to Bend and adjust its thickness and insulation. As temperatures drop, the fabric lofts to become thicker and more insulating; as temperatures rise, it becomes thinner and less insulating. The technology is designed to be integrated into apparel, with the capability to vary insulation in response to environmental conditions, making clothing thermally comfortable across a wide range of temps. Development has involved interdisciplinary teams and partnerships with brands, with production positioned to move from lab to factory.
Who it’s for: Brands and manufacturers of temperature-regulating apparel seeking thermally adaptive fabrics to enhance comfort in varied climates
Funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and Y Combinator; partnerships with world-class brands; emphasis on moving from laboratory invention to factory production
Formerly “Kestrel Materials” · why startups rename →
Responsive materials, better lives.
Decarbonized heat and power cheaper than fossil fuels
