Innovative Cooling Garment Enhances Safety for Electricians in Extreme Heat

A new cooling garment featuring phase change materials (PCMs) has been developed to improve the safety of electricians working in high-temperature environments. The study detailing this innovation was published in The International Journal of Refrigeration (Volume 168, December 2024) by researchers Xiaohong Gui, Shengwei Wang, and Li Ding.

The garment uses PCMs to stabilize body temperature by absorbing and releasing heat. According to the study, electricians exposed to 38°C for two hours would require 2.39 kg of PCM integrated into the garment. The researchers determined that an 8 mm thickness of the cooling material offers optimal thermal protection while allowing extended exposure to extreme heat conditions.

The design includes multiple layers - radiation, insulation, and heat-absorbing layers - to enhance cooling efficiency and prevent frostbite, a common challenge with other cooling technologies. The prototype provides up to two hours of thermal protection, aligning with the typical duration of electricians’ tasks.

The research highlights the potential of this garment to safeguard workers in high-temperature environments, improving both safety and performance. Future studies will focus on thermophysiological testing and field evaluations to validate the garment's effectiveness in real-world conditions.

This development could pave the way for more efficient, safe, and practical thermal protection solutions for workers exposed to extreme heat.

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