2026

Design Awards Gold Winner - Li Ning (China) Sports Goods Co., Ltd. 

Adaptive Thermoregulating Fabric

Entrant

Li Ning (China) Sports Goods Co., Ltd. 

Category

Clothing & Accessories - Smart Fashion

Client's Name

Country / Region:

China

Traditional outdoor and athletic textiles are often limited to basic physical shielding or passive insulation. Consequently, they struggle to adapt to drastic environmental fluctuations and the heat generated during physical activity. Engineered specifically for sports and outdoor scenarios, this fabric centers on intelligent regulation capabilities. It transcends the limits of static protection by actively sensing and responding to the temperature difference between the external environment and the skin. This shift from passive adaptation to active management ensures the body microclimate remains within a comfortable zone of dynamic balance.
In the current market for temperature-regulating fibers, technologies are predominantly applied to viscose and nylon materials. However, the polyester sector, known for having the largest production capacity and widest application, has long lacked efficient temperature control solutions. Through fundamental innovation in fiber technology, we have successfully developed a smart polyester fiber equipped with phase change temperature regulation. By utilizing Phase Change Materials to absorb or release heat during physical state transitions, this fabric bridges the technological gap in polyester. It introduces unprecedented temperature regulation capabilities while maintaining the superior physical properties inherent to polyester.
This fabric abandons complex ornamentation to return to functional aesthetics. The material displays a deep, uniform color with a tight and refined texture. The design team prioritized skin-friendly comfort by employing a special weaving process. This technique endows the fabric with excellent moisture-wicking performance and a soft, dry touch, eliminating the stiffness often associated with traditional functional textiles. Furthermore, the material possesses outstanding resilience. It adapts seamlessly to muscle expansion and contraction during movement, offering an unrestricted wearing experience.
The functional design of this fabric centers on the two core dimensions of human comfort and athletic performance. In daily life, the material provides a critical thermal buffer when the wearer moves between environments with sharp temperature differences, such as from a cool air-conditioned room to the heat outdoors. This function mitigates the discomfort that results from sudden environmental shifts.

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