Membrane-based portable microclimate cooling systems

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This project proposes to validate a novel microclimate cooling strategy based on the employment of the large latent heat of water evaporation using membrane evaporation technology, which involves a special category of hydrophobic membranes that do not allow liquid water to penetrate its pores when the trans-membrane pressure is lower than its liquid entry pressure. Under controlled conditions, evaporation of water takes place atthe liquid-vapour interface in membrane pores with cooled water staying on the liquid side of the membrane and vapours escaping into the environment. Membrane can thus provide the surface for and the control of waterevaporation, which mimics the function of skin in sweating. The proposed research study in a broad perspective will promote and support the development of unique research activities that will lead to the development of technological solutions to reduce environmental liabilities and improve worker health and safety in industry. To our best knowledge, no previous studies have examined the use of controlled membrane evaporation in microclimate cooling systems. The proposed research program will therefore create significant new and innovative research opportunities that will help to fill a significant gap in this area of study. From a practical perspective, our study program, with the support of our industrial partner Med-Eng Systems Inc., will ultimately lead to the development of a commercially competitive portable microclimate cooling system for civilian and military applications. For example, this technology will help to improve the health, safety, and work performance of personnel to work in hot environments (e.g. deep mine workers), to wear semi-permeable or impermeable protective clothing (e.g. chemical spilling cleanup workers and soldiers and personnel in bio/chemical defence), and/or to wear heavy armouring clothing (e.g. soldiers demining mine fields).