Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have unveiled a new cooling fabric with a unique chalk-based coating. It is able to reduce the temperature underneath by 4.5 degrees Celsius. The fabric is coated with a special mineral-polymer composition containing calcium carbonate and barium sulfate. The former effectively reflects visible and near-infrared light, while the latter blocks ultraviolet rays. This combination helps the fabric not only protect against the sun's rays, but also effectively dissipates heat away from the body, providing cooling over the entire surface. The process of creating the fabric involves applying a polymer layer, after which it is immersed in solutions with calcium or barium ions and carbonate or sulfate ions. The result is a matte coating that resembles chalk. Field tests conducted on hot days with temperatures above 32 degrees Celsius showed that the new fabric reduced the temperature of the air beneath it by 4.5 degrees. Compared to the untreated fabric, the difference was 8.3 degrees, confirming the material's high efficiency. According to the authors of the project, this innovation is aimed at people who spend a lot of time outdoors in hot weather, including athletes, gardeners and beach vacationers.