Heating

An emerging class of heat-storing gels is out to reduce the energy our buildings burn on heating and cooling. Initial tests look promising, so researchers are lining up roofs, walls, windows and even hot-water and AC modules as the next stops.

Researchers have invented a new material that is as thin as a film, extremely stiff, and also an excellent thermal insulator – a combination not found in nature. This could change many industries, from electronics to space exploration.

A traditional campfire is a lot of work, but not being allowed to have one because of a fire ban is even worse. A new propane-based alternative on Kickstarter promises to keep you warm when a wood fire isn’t an option.

Nike is back adding tech to your footwear with its new massaging slide. Developed in partnership with Hyperice, which makes a range of muscle relief gear, it's aimed at athletes looking for effective recovery after strenuous activity.

Heat is very terrible at hiding. You could wear camouflage and stand still in complete darkness, but you would still appear “as bright as day” to a thermal camera. Researchers have now built a 3D thermal cloak that could prevent infrared detection.

Cotton may be soft and warm, but we're told not to wear it for winter sports because it traps moisture, gets wet and draws heat away from the body. Well, scientists have created a fabric that repels moisture while replicating the coziness of cotton.

You know that frustration after you gear up for a snowy day, only to take it all off in a heated office? Well, penguins don't. Come heat or cold, they just chill. Inspired, scientists have created a material that switches between heating and cooling.

Researchers have come up with an invention that could lower your heating bills by 15%. It works like a blanket or an extra layer of clothing wrapped around the house. It's affordable, sustainable, and simple enough to be your next DIY project!

For anyone who's always eating on the go, you now have another option to manage hot meals while commuting without requiring the use of a microwave oven. The HeatWave Go is a self-heating lunch box that uses infrared technology to warm up meals.

Metallic theta-phase tantalum nitride exhibits an ultra-high thermal conductivity like no other material. This could be a desirable alternative to copper for computers and AI hardware, and even aerospace systems that need to run cool.

There's a lot of tech that solves problems that don't exist – however this isn't that. This mug from Feppo is one of those little products that makes things easier – especially if you get interrupted right when you've made yourself a coffee or tea.

Ever since Xiaomi was founded, it's expanded from making smartphones to AR glasses, robots, and even cars. And just when you think the firm has created everything imaginable, it's introduced a smart blanket with voice control that also fights mites.