When was the last time you purchased a reversible garment? Probably not since you’ve been an adult but you might want to look into it again if this project comes to fruition. Researchers have created a material that can cool and heat your body, depending on how you wear it.

These garments are made of layered material that amazingly are able to be turned inside for a different function. This feat is accomplished buy layering materials with different properties. Most of the material is made from a plastic that allows the body’s infrared radiation (IR) to pass through. But there is also a layer of black carbon that absorbs and emits IR and a layer of very, very thin layer of copper which is weak at absorbing IR.

It’s not placed equally from the body do depending on how you turn it, the two layers are at different distances from you allowing for both heating and cooling. A pretty neat innovation but it is still in testing phases. If mass produced, it will allow people to turn the heat in their houses and still stay comfortable. Check out the website for the full science.