CONFORMABLE STRUCTURES

摘要

The structures include an environmentally responsive gel forming a part of the structure. The gel responds to an environmental condition such as temperature to change state reversibly. It is preferred that the gel be sealed in an enclosure. In one embodiment, the gel is a reverse thermal gel which is liquid at lower temperatures and becomes viscous at body temperatures. Objects placed in contact with the body conform to the body shape and retain the shape in response to body temperature. Representative structures are articles of clothing, such as hats, helmets and brassieres. Other conformable objects include chairs and sofas.