SBIR Phase I: Revolutionizing the Menopause Marketplace: The Potential of Cooling Jewelry to Provide Non-Medicinal Relief for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目的更广泛的影响/商业影响是为更年期妇女提供激素替代疗法的替代方案。技术设计和集成是独一无二的，因为最终产品将以水力激活的时尚珠宝的形式运行。这款产品为缓解血管舒缩症状提供了一种谨慎、时尚和有效的解决方案，使女性在更年期期间保持舒适，而不必求助于具有令人不快的副作用的药物。此外，这项技术有可能对患有其他导致过热的疾病的相邻群体的福祉产生积极影响。该产品的研究和开发将增加全球受健康挑战不利影响的患者获得健康和健康选择的机会。拟议的项目旨在增进对蒸发冷却在可穿戴技术应用中的知识和理解。这项研究的主要目的是通过一种被动技术的时尚配件，为出现血管舒缩症状或一般过热的个人提供外部降温缓解。该项目的目标包括提高冷却的效率和时机，同时克服可能因个人用户体验而异的感知挑战。此外，将探索新材料，以进一步提高降温感觉，测试和优化是一致的因素。最后，将收集关于产品有效性和市场适销性的客户反馈。完成后，这项研究将提供更多关于如何优化和细化可穿戴技术应用的蒸发冷却技术的理解，从而提高消费者的满意度。蒸发冷却在典型的大规模工业和住宅应用之外使用的知识和理解将被提升并用于建议的应用。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commerical impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to provide an alternative to hormone replacement therapy for women going through menopause. The technical design and integration are unique in that the end product will operate in the form of hydro-activated, fashion jewelry. This product offers a discreet, stylish, and efficient solution for mitigating vasomotor symptoms, allowing women to remain comfortable as they go through menopause without having to resort to medications with unpleasant side effects. Additionally, the technology has the potential to positively impact the well-being of adjacent groups who suffer from other conditions that lead to overheating. The research and development of this product will increase access to health and wellness options for patients adversely affected by health challenges around the globe. The proposed project seeks to advance the knowledge and understanding of evaporative cooling for use in wearable tech applications. The primary purpose of this research is to provide external cooling relief, via a passive-tech fashion accessory, to individuals experiencing vasomotor symptoms or overheating in general. The goals of the project include improving the efficacy and timing of cooling, while overcoming perception challenges that can vary by individual user experiences. Furthermore, new materials will be explored to further enhance the cooling sensation with testing and optimization being a consistent factor. Finally, customer feedback will be gathered regarding product efficacy and marketability. Upon completion, this research will provide a greater understanding of how to optimize and refine the evaporative cooling technology for wearable tech applications, leading to improved consumer satisfaction. Knowledge and understanding of evaporative cooling for use outside of the typical, large-scale industrial and residential home applications will be advanced and utilized for the proposed application.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.