| The objectives of this research is to develop understanding of the physical mechanisms involved by developing mathematical models to simulate the dynamic thermo physiological interactions of body, clothing and environment; to design and develop prototypes of intelligent thermal protective clothing by using functional fabrics; to conduct physiological and psychological sensory wear trials; and to identify the roles of design factors/parameters.;In order to achieve these objectives, the impact of phase-change materials on cold protective clothing was studied. The experiments were conducted in a climatic chamber in which the temperature was -15°C. Four clothing assemblies with the same structure and with/without PCM were studied. In the experiments, a device called a bionic skin model was developed and used. The results show that conductive fabric can significantly change the temperature distributions in clothing assemblies to increase the thermal-protective performance of the clothing, and that clothing assemblies with PCM can save around 30% of energy in the temperature control process.;Mathematical model was developed and used to simulate the physical processes of coupled heat and moisture transfer in a clothing assembly containing PCM. The results of simulation show that the PCM can delay the decrease in temperature of the clothing. A reasonable agreement was found when comparing the results of the simulation with the experiment results.;Based on the mathematical simulation and experimental results, a series of cold protective prototypes were developed with functional fabrics and materials. Eleven male students subjects volunteered to take part in the wear trial experiments in climatic chamber controlled at -15°C. Skin temperature, ear canal temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, heat flux, temperatures and humidities of different layers of clothing system, urine and saliva, as well as subjective sensations were measured, collected and analyzed. The experimental results showed functional fabrics and materials, the structure of the clothing system had significant effects on the overall comfort, the moisture diffusion, temperature distribution of the cold protective clothing in cold environment. Systematic moisture management design can minimize the water condensation in the clothing system, application of PCM microcapsules can significantly delayed the rates of temperature change, and addition of conducting fabrics with wireless bluetooth module can effectively manipulate the temperature and moisture distributions in clothing and reduce cold stresses. |
