Project Contributions

 My contributions to the project are as follows:

Research:

- The use of gAI (ChatGPT) to look for technological alternatives in the "cooling wearables" market, that can be combined and implemented

    1. [Prompt: What are some current wearable cooling technologies available] --> Response summary: 

            a. Peltier Cooling (Thermoelectric Cooling)

            b. Phase Change Materials (PCMs)

            c. Evaporative Cooling

            d. Fan-Based Cooling

            e. Active Cooling Vests

            f. Smart Fabrics

            g. Ionic Breeze or Microclimate Cooling

            h. Personal Air Conditioners (Mini ACs) 

    2. [Prompt: Rank the results in a table, according to its effectiveness in humid climates, costs, efficiency and aesthetics] --> Response summary: 

Effectiveness in humidity (Good to bad): Personal Air Conditioners > Smart fabrics > Active Cooling Vests > Fan-Based Cooling > Phase Change Materials > Peltier Cooling > Ionic Breeze/Microclimate > Evaporative Cooling

Costs (Cheapest to most expensive): Fan-Based Cooling > Evaporative Cooling > Phase Change Materials > Smart Fabrics > Ionic Breeze/Microclimate > Peltier Cooling > Active Cooling Vests > Personal Air Conditioners

Efficiency: Personal Air Conditioners > Fan-Based Cooling > Active Cooling Vests > Evaporative Cooling > Phase Change Materials > Peltier Cooling > Smart Fabrics > Ionic Breeze/Microclimate

Aesthetics: Smart Fabrics > Fan-Based Cooling > Phase Change Materials > Peltier Cooling > Evaporative Cooling > Active Cooling Vests > Ionic Breeze/Microclimate > Personal Air Conditioners


Others:

- Feedback and ideas on our team direction

- Some significant points:

    1. [Identifying which technology is being used in the product we want to improve?] -->  
Conclusion, most used and cheapest:  
- Combination of Evaporative Cooling, Fan-Based Cooling, drawing inspirations from Japanese innovations such as the "Kuchofuku Fan-Cooled Casual Jacket"

    2. [Question: Which technology do we think will be best to combine/implement, that balances out costs, effectiveness and aesthetics?]  --> 
Concluding that the use of smart fabrics, fan-based cooling, evaporative cooling are the most relevant for our implementation into the product.

    3. [Question: Will the use of a back suction fan cause a vacuum effect on the surrounding fabric and skin, thereby negating the airflow to the upper region of the jacket?] -->
Use of a breathable mesh material to allow airflow whilst physically propping the fan outwards.

    4. [The use of having 2 major materials for the inner and outer layer, in order to optimise the effectivity of the jacket?]

    5. [Electronic components being detachable by having the surrounding materials be connected with the use of a zip.]

    6. [Suggested reviewing the fan placements due to inefficiencies from different configurations.]

    7. [Looked into evaporative cooling effect, in order to enhance inner fabric's cooling properties.]

    8. [Looked into types of outer shell materials.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Project report contributions:

Written portions: 
1. Existing mesh designs
2. Existing fabric materials
3. Methodology (Description, primary and secondary research methods)

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