Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 24, 2025

Experimental Methods for Investigation of Shape Memory Based Elastocaloric Cooling Processes and Model Validation
Published on: May 2, 2016
Experimental Study on the Efficacy of a Novel Personal Cooling Vest Incorporated with Phase Change Materials and Fans
Xiaoyang Ni1, Tianyu Yao1, Ying Zhang2,3
1Faculty of Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, China.
Abstract:
In recent years, personal cooling has aroused much attention because it can achieve both localized high-level thermal comfort and build energy savings. In this study, a novel hybrid personal cooling vest (PCV) incorporated with phase change materials (PCMs) and ventilation fans was developed, and its efficacy was investigated by human trials in a hot-humid climate chamber. Three generally accepted indices (thermal load, Q; thermal sensation, TS; and physiological strain index, PSI) and a new proposed index (cumulative heat storage, CHS) during human trials were comparatively studied between the two human trial groups, i.e., the PCV group (wearing the PCV) and the CON group (without PCV). Results found that TS, PSI, and CHS were significantly reduced by the PCV, which suggests that the PCV can significantly improve both the perceptual and physiological strain. In addition, a strong linear relationship (r2 = 0.8407) was found between the proposed index of CHS with PSI, which indicates the applicability and reliability of CHS for assessing physiological heat strain.
Related Concept Videos
Responses to Heat and Cold Stress
Mechanism of heat transfer
Mechanisms of Heat Transfer II
Methods of reducing fever
Pharmacological Methods of Reducing Fever:
Mechanisms of Heat Transfer
Conduction, accounting for approximately 3% of body heat loss at rest, is the process of exchanging heat between molecules of two materials in direct contact. This can result in both heat loss and gain. For instance, when the body is submerged in water, which conducts heat 20 times more effectively than air, it can either lose or gain significant...
Mechanisms of Heat Transfer I

