"Embedded in the thin fabric are bits of graphite the size and shape of pepper flakes. When exposed to flames, the graphite causes a layer of fiberglass insulation to expand, creating “a big, fluffy blanket,” Fody says. He calls the material “smart” because it expands only when exposed to high temperatures. Its lightweight design is crucial because wildland firefighters often trek through tough terrain and cannot lug cumbersome gear."
