Scientists have invented a smart fabric that converts light into heat and can raise temperatures by more than 54 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius) after just 10 minutes in the sun. The new material could be used in clothing designed for very cold temperatures.

Specialized nanoparticles that absorb sunlight and convert it to heat are embedded within the new material, which was described late last year in the journal Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials. At the same time, temperature-responsive dyes incorporated into the fibers reversibly change color, allowing users to visually monitor temperature fluctuations.