Personal Textile Temperature Control is Silent, Efficient
PSEP: An Innovative Wearable Device for Fashionable Personal Thermal Comfort
Tags: Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan, Consumer Goods & Services
Liquid cooling garments, already used for race car drivers, surgeons, chemotherapy, multiple sclerosis patients, and athletes, employ tubes embedded in clothes to circulate cool or warm liquids via a pump to change body temperature. However, providing power to these systems requires bulky and noisy equipment, making them cumbersome. Researchers have developed a compact wearable thermal control device using an innovative Pocketable and Smart Electrohydrodynamic Pump (PSEP) that eliminates the need for bulky equipment by incorporating self-sensing technology to monitor flow rates. This device, designed to be small and stylish, can be integrated seamlessly into clothing, providing personal temperature control that is silent and efficient. It uses an electrohydrodynamic pump and soft tubes for a comfortable fit, enhancing wearer convenience and functionality. The device's ability to adjust temperatures by up to 3 °C and notify users of any blockages makes it practical for everyday use. This technology offers applications in personal comfort, virtual reality environments, and medical therapies, among others.
IP Type or Form Factor: Device; Design
TRL: 5 - prototype ready for testing in intended environment
Industry or Tech Area: Textile & Garment; Wearables
