For a human body to function properly the body core temperature needs to lie within a narrow range of about 37 °C. This temperature is, among others, sustained with adjusting the blood flow to the skin, as well as by sweating or shivering. In extreme hot conditions and, in partic
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For a human body to function properly the body core temperature needs to lie within a narrow range of about 37 °C. This temperature is, among others, sustained with adjusting the blood flow to the skin, as well as by sweating or shivering. In extreme hot conditions and, in particular when wearing protective clothing, heat gain exceeds heat loss and the body temperature increases. Specifically, every 1°C rise in body core temperature is accompanied by 1% reduction in gross efficiency and may eventually lead to reduced operational performance. Whereas, in cold conditions, peripheral vasoconstriction leads to cold extremities resulting in reduced coordination skills and higher risks for accidents.
In this project we aim at developing new, smart and innovative solutions for clothing which can actively influence body temperature. We thus aim at developing clothing that will provide intensity of cooling that will be reflecting the thermoregulatory state of the weather. Such clothing will improve thermal comfort in hot and cold conditions. Furthermore, it will serve to professional users, such as firefighters, who are exposed to extreme conditions for longer periods of time, to athletes helping them by improving exercise performance
in hot conditions and for patients such as those with multiple sclerosis who are thermo-sensitive and where decreasing body temperature is shown to improve neurological symptoms. We will reach this aim by combining different heating and cooling technologies with sensors and actuators where these will be integrated into new smart clothing prototypes.
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