Numerical evaluation of a dual phase change material-integrated cap for prolonged thermal protection in extreme heat

Junaid, M; Saha, G; Shahrear, P; Saha, SC

Numerical evaluation of a dual phase change material-integrated cap for prolonged thermal protection in extreme heat

Junaid, M Saha, G

Shahrear, P Saha, SC

Permalink

Publisher:: ELSEVIER
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Results in Engineering, 2025, 27
Issue Date:: 2025-09-01

Open Access

Copyright Clearance Process

Recently Added
In Progress
Open Access

This item is open access.

Adobe PDF

Download Published versionAdobe PDF (7.21 MB)

View on publisher's site

View statistics

Full metadata record

Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Junaid, M
dc.contributor.author	Saha, G https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6467-298X
dc.contributor.author	Shahrear, P
dc.contributor.author	Saha, SC
dc.date.accessioned	2025-12-19T04:14:33Z
dc.date.available	2025-12-19T04:14:33Z
dc.date.issued	2025-09-01
dc.identifier.citation	Results in Engineering, 2025, 27
dc.identifier.issn	2590-1230
dc.identifier.issn	2590-1230
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/191023
dc.description.abstract	With the increasing frequency of extreme heat events, effective thermal regulation in wearable caps is essential. This study presents a numerical investigation of a PCM-integrated wearable cap designed for prolonged outdoor exposure. Two PCMs—Rubitherm RT-27 and Capric Acid—were analyzed under natural convection for their temperature control, melting behavior, and energy storage capacity. At an ambient temperature of 40 °C, RT-27 achieved full melting in 155 min, while Capric Acid required 230 min, offering extended thermal protection. At 50 °C, melting times reduced to 108 min for RT-27 and 133 min for Capric Acid. The dual-PCM system maintained inner cap temperatures between 6 and 14 °C lower than ambient, depending on the PCM and external conditions. RT-27 provided rapid initial cooling, whereas Capric Acid ensured sustained thermal regulation. The cap's layered design, including wool-cotton insulation, further delayed heat transfer and enhanced comfort. Compared to conventional fabric-based caps, the PCM-integrated cap significantly prolonged thermal relief duration. This study demonstrates the practical potential of multi-PCM systems for wearable passive cooling applications in extreme environments.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	ELSEVIER
dc.relation.ispartof	Results in Engineering
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.rineng.2025.105870
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject.classification	40 Engineering
dc.title	Numerical evaluation of a dual phase change material-integrated cap for prolonged thermal protection in extreme heat
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	27
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2025-12-19T04:14:31Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	27

Abstract:

With the increasing frequency of extreme heat events, effective thermal regulation in wearable caps is essential. This study presents a numerical investigation of a PCM-integrated wearable cap designed for prolonged outdoor exposure. Two PCMs—Rubitherm RT-27 and Capric Acid—were analyzed under natural convection for their temperature control, melting behavior, and energy storage capacity. At an ambient temperature of 40 °C, RT-27 achieved full melting in 155 min, while Capric Acid required 230 min, offering extended thermal protection. At 50 °C, melting times reduced to 108 min for RT-27 and 133 min for Capric Acid. The dual-PCM system maintained inner cap temperatures between 6 and 14 °C lower than ambient, depending on the PCM and external conditions. RT-27 provided rapid initial cooling, whereas Capric Acid ensured sustained thermal regulation. The cap's layered design, including wool-cotton insulation, further delayed heat transfer and enhanced comfort. Compared to conventional fabric-based caps, the PCM-integrated cap significantly prolonged thermal relief duration. This study demonstrates the practical potential of multi-PCM systems for wearable passive cooling applications in extreme environments.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/191023