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Space suit technology can protect workers from heatstroke   The technology used in space suits to protect astronauts carrying out space walks in direct sunlight is now being used to develop protective clothing to safeguard firefighters and steel workers who often work in extremely hot and dangerous conditions.  Astronaut in space  An innovative thermal management system, developed under the Safe&Cool project supported by ESA's Technology Transfer Programme and EC's CRAFT initiative, is using space technologies incorporated inside novel textiles to improve clothing for the protection of those working in harsh environments, such as firefighters and steel factory workers.  Moto Grand Prix rider Sete Gibernau, with the Anatomic Intercooler System (AIS) produced by Spidi, which uses innovative space technology from astronauts' suits. Combining three advanced technologies  The Safe&Cool system makes use of three special technologies. Firstly a special 3D-textile structure is used in the thermal and moisture management layer to replace the interliner and moisture barrier of classical three-layered protective clothing. The materials used in the special 3D-textile structure are hydrophobic thermal comfort fibres to avoid a wet feeling when in contact with the body, combined with hydrophilic fibres to create suction channels to transport moisture away from the skin. The second technology is the cooling apparatus derived from astronauts' suits. This enables liquid to be circulated through tubing inserted in cavities in the 3D-textile structure, creating 'blood vessels' for heat removal. A water-binding polymer is the third technology and this will be added either as a coating or in the form of a powder dispersed inside the fabrics.
The polymer will absorb and bind excess moisture migrating through the semi-permeable membrane to maintain the temperature below a threshold controlled by the cooling apparatus. If there is a sudden temperature increase, arising from a burn flashover for example, and the cooling system cannot remove heat fast enough from the body, the polymer will release the liquid accumulated, reproducing the human natural sweating process through evaporative cooling.  A special cooling apparatus derived from astronauts' suits is used in innovative protective clothing for firefighters and industrial workers. These improved textiles are developed under the Safe&Cool project, supported by ESA's Technology Transfer Programme and EC's CRAFT initiative. The picture shows how the cooling tubes are weaved into the textile.  A cooling system derived from astronauts' suits ensures comfort in fire-proof suits Release date: 16 January 2007 |