Thermal innovation woven in: the Gentoo Heater by LOOMIA & AFFOA
In the rapidly advancing field of electronic textiles, innovation often walks hand-in-hand with necessity. Addressing the pressing demand for reliable thermal solutions in extreme climates, LOOMIA, in collaboration with the Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA), proudly unveils the Gentoo Flexible Heater, a breakthrough in cold-weather textile technology.
Engineered for Extremes: The Gentoo Heater Advantage
At the core of the Gentoo Heater is a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)-based resistive heating element, meticulously engineered to perform under the harshest conditions delivering consistent and reliable heat even at temperatures plunging to -60°C. This remarkable capability positions the Gentoo Heater as a game-changer for environments where traditional heating solutions falter.
Unlike rigid or bulky alternatives, the Gentoo Heater is designed for seamless integration into textiles, offering a unique blend of comfort, breathability, and mechanical flexibility. Its 4-way stretchability and selective TPU placement make it compatible with both knit and woven fabrics, preserving the garment’s natural feel while adding thermal functionality.
A Fabric of Innovation: LOOMIA and AFFOA’s Collaborative Legacy
The Gentoo Heater marks another milestone in the fruitful collaboration between LOOMIA, a leader in flexible electronics and smart textiles and AFFOA, a national non-profit dedicated to transforming fibers into high-performance systems. Their previous ventures include the development of a next-generation heated glove insert that served both military and commercial sectors, demonstrating the versatility and impact of their combined expertise.
Helping LOOMIA and other companies shorten their time to market is the purpose of the Product Accelerator for Functional Fabrics (PAFF) program. Heating technology like the Gentoo Heater will play a major role in the future of high-performance textiles to protect Warfighters and civilians in extreme temperatures.
Sasha Stolyarov, CEO of AFFOA.
In this partnership, LOOMIA contributed its cutting-edge e-textile components, while AFFOA led product development, producing over ten functional prototypes, creating system architecture, and building a user-ready interface control unit paving the way for solutions that blend science with usability.
Durability Meets Design
The Gentoo Heater is not only powerful it’s built to last. Testing reveals remarkable performance consistency even after 20 wash cycles, with resistance changing by only around 10% under delicate settings with hang drying. This resilience is vital for applications ranging from rugged outdoor gear and tactical equipment to specialized cold-chain logistics or medical devices where sustained performance is critical.
Its ability to be laminated into trims or any preferred fabric ensures broad design flexibility, making it ideal for manufacturers seeking customizable heating options without sacrificing style or wearability.
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