Evaluation of body heating protocols with graphene heated clothing in a cold environment
International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology
ISSN: 0955-6222
Article publication date: 30 November 2017
Issue publication date: 30 November 2017
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effects of intermittent and continuous heating protocols using graphene-heated clothing and identify more effective body region for heating in a cold environment.
Design/methodology/approach
Eight males participated in five experimental conditions at an air temperature of 0.6°C with 40 percent relative humidity: no heating, continuous heating the chest, continuous heating the back, intermittent heating the chest, and intermittent heating the back.
Findings
The results showed that the electric power consumption of the intermittent heating protocol (2.49 W) was conserved by 71 percent compared to the continuous protocol (8.58 W). Rectal temperature, cardiovascular and respiratory responses showed no significant differences among the four heating conditions, while heating the back showed more beneficial effects on skin temperatures than heating the chest.
Originality/value
First of all, this study was the first report to evaluate cold protective clothing with graphene heaters. Second, the authors provided effective intermittent heating protocols in terms of reducing power consumption, which was able to be evaluated with the characteristics of fast-responsive graphene heaters. Third, an intermittent heating protocol on the back was recommended to keep a balance between saving electric power and minimizing thermal discomfort in cold environments.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors sincerely thank subjects for their kind participation and support. The authors also express the thanks to Eric A. Stone who assisted with technical writing in English. The present study was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIP) (No. 2016 2016M3A7B4910, Integrated design and fabrication of textiles composites based on graphene fibers).
Citation
Shin, S., Choi, H.-H., Kim, Y.B., Hong, B.-H. and Lee, J.-Y. (2017), "Evaluation of body heating protocols with graphene heated clothing in a cold environment", International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, Vol. 29 No. 6, pp. 830-844. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCST-03-2017-0026
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited