Journal of Bionic Engineering (2025) 22:513–561 https://doi.org/10.1007/s42235-025-00647-2

Biomimetic Structure and Phase Change Materials for Multifunctional  Personal Thermal Management

Qing Su1  · Guojun Sheng2  · Yan Li1,3,4  · Xiaoping Lu2  · Chao Wang2  · Chenxing Xin5  · Huasheng Wang6  ·  Hongyong Jiang7

1 Gemmological Institute, China University of Geosciences,  Wuhan 430074, China 

2 COSMOPlat Institute of Industrial Intelligence (Qingdao)  Co. Ltd, Qingdao 266100, China 

3 Department of Aeronautics, Imperial College London,  London SW7 2AZ, UK 

4 Institute for Advanced Marine Research, China University of  Geosciences, Guangzhou 511462, China 

5 Laboratory of Process Technology, NeptunLab, Department  of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK), University of  Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg, Germany 

6 School of Engineering and Materials, Queen Mary University  of London, London, UK 

7 School of Mechanical Engineering and Electronic  Information, China University of Geosciences,  Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China

Abstract 

With the continuously increasing awareness of energy conservation and the intensifying impacts of global warming, Personal Thermal Management (PTM) technologies are increasingly recognized for their potential to ensure human thermal  comfort in extreme environments. Biomimetic structures have emerged as a novel source of inspiration for PTM applications. This review systematically summarizes the biomimetic structures, phase change materials, manufacturing methods,  and the performance of multifunctional PTM wearables. Firstly, it analyzes the biomimetic structures with thermal regulation and encapsulated phase change material functionalities from different dimensions, highlighting their applications  in PTM. Subsequently, it outlines the conventional manufacturing methods incorporating various biomimetic structures,  offering strategies for the production of PTM wearables. The review also discusses the typical performance characteristics  of multifunctional PTM wearables, addressing the current demands in thermal management. Finally, opportunities and  challenges in PTM field are proposed, proposing new directions for future research. 

Keywords Personal thermal management · Biomimetic structure · Phase change material · Manufacturing methods ·  Multifunctionality