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A new kind of wearable technology known as the Pocketable and Smart Electrohydrodynamic Pump (PSEP) was recently designed to help people control their body temperature more comfortably.
The technology was developed by a team of researchers primarily led by Ph.D. student Yu Kuwajima from the Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics at the Shibaura Institute of Technology in Japan.
This wearable device stands apart from traditional smart wearables because it is lightweight, compact, and stylish, ensuring easy wearability without adding bulk or generating noise. Additionally, it offers personalized thermal control.
Here's how it works
According to a statement by the university, instead of using traditional methods that require bulky equipment and extra power sources, the PSEP uses a special kind of pump called an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pump.
This pump is unique because it is very lightweight and doesn't make any noise; it moves liquids inside the device using electricity, which means it can be much smaller and more discreet.
The PSEP also has an interesting feature called self-sensing, which means it can monitor how fast the liquid moves without needing extra equipment. This helps it adjust the temperature more accurately.
The PSEP is akin to having your air conditioner or heater to wear wherever you go!
"Next-generation wearable tech has the potential to go beyond mere gadgets and truly transform our lives," stated Yu Kuwajima from the Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics at the Shibaura Institute of Technology.
"The key lies in achieving both miniaturization and advanced functionality. Our research marks the beginning of this exciting journey, paving the way for a future where technology seamlessly integrates into our daily routines, making them richer and more comfortable."
Addressing limitations of traditional wearables
This upgraded wearable smart clothing aims to address the limitations of traditional wearable thermal control devices, such as bulkiness and noisy components, by developing a compact, stylish, and self-sensing device that can provide personal thermal comfort without the need for additional equipment.
The PSEP device employs electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pump technology alongside self-sensing capabilities to monitor flow rates within the device itself.
This self-sensing model measures changes in current between the electrodes to adjust temperatures by up to three degrees Celsius, enhancing personal comfort.
The device also features an intuitive smartphone interface for wireless control and monitoring and the ability to detect and notify users of blockages for efficient operation and longevity.
This study marks a significant step forward in wearable devices and can inspire innovative personal thermal control devices.
Interesting Engineering also, in the past, reported opposing devices that cool the wearer. For instance, researchers from Stanford University (USA) and Nanjing University (China) in 2020 developed cooling properties of silk, a fabric already known for its ability to feel cool against the skin due to its high sunlight reflection.
Through their efforts, they succeeded in augmenting silk's sunlight reflection to an impressive 95 percent, enabling it to remain 3.5 degrees Celsius cooler than the surrounding air when exposed to sunlight.
This accomplishment was realized by including aluminum oxide nanoparticles in the silk fibers. These nanoparticles effectively reflected the ultraviolet wavelengths of sunlight, as demonstrated by their ability to keep the skin approximately 12.5 degrees Celsius cooler than cotton clothing.
The study was published on December 14, 2023, and in Volume 16, Issue 1 of the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces on January 10, 2024.
