Waterproof breathable membranes (WBMs) characterized by a specific internal structure, allowing air and water vapor to be transferred from one side to the other while preventing liquid water penetration, have attracted much attention from researchers. WBMs combine lamination and other technologies with textile materials to form waterproof breathable fabrics, which play a key role in outdoor sports clothing, medical clothing, military clothing, etc. Herein, a systematic overview of the recent progress of WBMs is provided, including the principles of waterproofness and breathability, common preparation methods and the applications of WBMs. Discussion starts with the waterproof and breathable mechanisms of two different membranes: hydrophilic non-porous membranes and hydrophobic microporous membranes. Then evaluation criteria and common preparation methods for WBMs are presented. In addition, treatment processes that promote water vapor transmission and prominent applications in the textile field are comprehensively analyzed. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives of WBMs are also explored.

A building or a bridge might collapse after a heat shock. This paper shows that a porous hierarchy of a coating can effectively prevent a building or a bridge from such damage. A cocoon’s geometrical structure is studied and its resistance to the heat shock is revealed by a thermal oscillator. The theoretical model reveals an extremely low frequency of the thermal oscillator, which is very important for cocoons’ biomechanism, especially in the heat insulation function. At the same time, it shows that the cocoons have the best thickness to protect the pupa from the environment. In addition, surface temperature measurement of hierarchical mulberry leaves is performed. This work provides new insights into biomimetic design of the protective building and coatings.

In recent years, with the rapid development of the economy and great progress in science and technology, people have become increasingly concerned about their quality of life and physical health. In order to pursue a higher life, various functional and biomimetic textiles have emerged one after another and have been sought after by people. There are many animal and plant surfaces with special wettability in nature, and their unique “micro-nano structures” and low surface energy have attracted extensive attention from researchers. Researchers have prepared various textiles with superhydrophobic features by mimicking these unique structures. This review introduces the typical organisms with superhydrophobicity in nature, using lotus, water strider, and cicada as examples, and describes their morphological features and excellent superhydrophobicity. The theoretical model, commonly used raw materials, and modification technology of superhydrophobic surfaces are analyzed. In addition, the application areas and the current study status of superhydrophobic surfaces for textiles are also summarized. Finally, the development prospects for superhydrophobic textiles based on bionic technology are discussed.

Some living organisms with hierarchical structures in nature have received extensive attention in various fields. The hierarchical structure with multiple pores, a large number of solid–gas interfaces and tortuous conduction paths provide a new direction for the development of thermal insulation materials, making the living creatures under these extreme conditions become the bionic objects of scientific researchers. In this review, the research progress of bionic hierarchical structure in the field of heat insulation is highlighted. Polar bears, cocoons, penguin feathers and wool are typical examples of heat preservation hierarchy in nature to introduce their morphological characteristics. At the same time, the thermal insulation mechanism, fractal model and several preparation methods of bionic hierarchical structures are emphatically discussed. The application of hierarchical structures in various fields, especially in thermal insulation and infrared thermal stealth, is summarised. Finally, the hierarchical structure is prospected.

Silkworm cocoon is extremely insensitive to environment change, and a pupa can be survived in a harsh environment. This paper gives a mathematical explanation to this superior survival ability and an experiment is carefully carried out to verify the mechanism. The results are of great importance to design functional clothing for harsh environment, e. g., a moon suit.