Proof-of-Concept of a Revolutionary Cooling Shirt with a Thermal Manikin

Abstract

Heat-related illness is a critical factor for personnel operating in high heat environments. Traditional cooling technologies are limited by the need for a power supply, the added weight of the product, and the cooling duration. This research investigates a lightweight (47-g), passive cooling textile material provided by Arctic Ease(registered) (Phoenixville, PA) and designed by the United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM/FHC) that offers multiple hours of sustained cooling. The ability to deliver cooling was evaluated using a thermal manikin. Initial research was conducted under dry heat conditions at 35 deg C/50% relative humidity as the first step to evaluate the technology. Effective cooling rate was determined to be 30 W for the system. Calculations were based on the manikin zones covered by the shirt. Preliminary dry tests indicated a cooling duration longer than 2 hours.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2013
Accession Number
ADA590289

Entities

People

  • Jennifer Serres
  • Reginald B. O'hara

Organizations

  • United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems
  • Sensors
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerospace Medicine
  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Blood Flow
  • Controlled Environment
  • Elements
  • Environment
  • Government Procurement
  • Governments
  • Heat Energy
  • Heat Flux
  • Heat Transfer
  • Heating Elements
  • High Temperature
  • Humidity
  • Materials
  • Skeletal Muscle

Readers

  • Combustion and Flow Dynamics.
  • Materials Science

Technology Areas

  • Space