Design and Evaluation of Novel Microtube-Based and Fan-Assisted Evaporative Cooling Vests in Climatic Chamber Under Hot and Dry Conditions Publisher Pubmed

Summary: Which cooling vest handles heat better? Thermal-manikin tests found fan-assisted evaporative cooling outperformed a microtube vest; human trials remain needed. #HeatStress #WorkplaceSafety

Soleimani N ; Dehghan H
Source: Scientific Reports Published:2026

Abstract

Exposure to high temperatures in industrial environments can lead to heat stress and a decline in physiological performance. The use of evaporative cooling garments has been proposed as an effective strategy to reduce body temperature and enhance potential thermal comfort. This study` aimed to compare the cooling capacity of two types of evaporative cooling vests, including a fan-assisted vest and a microtube‑based evaporative cooling vest (compressed‑air supplied), under controlled hot–dry conditions. In this study, the two types of cooling vests were evaluated in a climatic chamber at an ambient temperature of 35 °C and relative humidity levels of 20% and 40%. The cooling capacity of the cooling vests was assessed by measuring the cooling power using a thermal manikin and calculating the rate of water evaporation. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation, and differences between conditions were analyzed using a paired t-test. The mean cooling capacity of the fan-assisted cooling vest at 20% relative humidity was 83 ± 8 W, compared to 56 ± 5 W for the microtube‑based evaporative cooling vest (p < 0.01). At 40% relative humidity, the cooling capacity of the fan-assisted cooling vest was 74 ± 4 W, while that of the microtube‑based evaporative cooling vest was 47 ± 4 W (p < 0.05). Additionally, both the evaporation rate and evaporative efficiency of the fan-assisted cooling vest were significantly higher than those of the microtube‑based evaporative cooling vest (p < 0.01). The results indicate that, on the thermal manikin, the fan‑assisted vest provides superior performance in reducing heat load, whereas the microtube‑based cooling vest offers more stable but less effective cooling. These objective findings suggest that, under hot and dry conditions, the fan-assisted design may be more suitable for applications requiring high cooling capacity, while the microtube‑based cooling vest may be considered for prolonged heat exposure in settings with access to compressed air. However, the actual thermal comfort benefits for human users should be verified in future human‑subject studies. © The Author(s) 2026.