Assessment of a Thermoelectric Vest through Physical and Mental Performance

Abstract

This study evaluated the efficacy of a thermoelectric (TE) cooling vest developed by AFRL/RX incorporating P-N junction elements. This vest is designed for military personnel that work in hot environments (above 87 deg F) and was designed to decrease core body temperature and increase vigilance. A series of tests were completed using eleven subjects. Efficacy of the vest was determined by running baseline maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) on each subject and designing a subject-specific submaximal test with a vigilance task. Each subject completed a total of four submaximal tests wearing the vest "on" twice and "off" twice. Analysis of both the core body temperature and the vigilance of the subjects did not find a significant statistical difference of the vest "on" versus "off" or vest*time interaction. There was a significant effect of time on core body temperature, which is to be expected due to increased physical workload over time regardless of the vest.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 2012
Accession Number
ADA585160

Entities

People

  • Benjamin C. Steinhauer
  • Chris E. Perry
  • Jacob C. Heitzman
  • Jessica S. Pack
  • Lloyd D. Tripp
  • Nathan L. Wright
  • Suzanne D. Smith

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Body Temperature
  • Brain Injuries
  • Data Analysis
  • Environment
  • False Alarms
  • Institutional Review Board
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Personnel
  • Military Research
  • Motor Skills
  • P-N Junctions
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Test Methods

Readers

  • Exercise and Sports Science.
  • Solar Photovoltaics and Thermoelectric Devices.