China designs thermal jacket imitating polar bear fur

The Chinese military plans to mass-produce a new generation of thermal jackets for border guards stationed in cold-weather regions this year. Developers say the jacket has a special structure similar to the texture of polar bear fur.Asia Timesreport

The fabric used to make the jacket is hollow like bear fur, which helps maintain a layer of insulating air near the body, limiting the spread of heat to the outside. This fabric also reduces and conceals infrared radiation, making it difficult for the wearer to be detected on thermal imaging glasses, a device used in many night reconnaissance systems.

To create the polar bear-like fabric structure, scientists soaked silk in water at low temperatures, then injected the mixture through a small syringe into a special device to freeze the fibers. Chinese President Xi Jinping is said to have worn this type of coat during a visit to Chinese military bases in cold regions.

China has a 22,100 km long border, many of which touch Russia’s Siberia and the high mountains of Central Asia. Temperatures as low as -35 degrees Celsius are considered one of the biggest threats to China’s border guards, forcing the country to develop measures to protect its soldiers.