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MIT students develop a thermoelectric bracelet that simulates the sensation of air conditioning, offering portable and efficient thermal comfort.
On hot days, the feeling of heat can be hard to bear, and many people wish they had the relief of air conditioning at their disposal. However, four engineering students from MIT, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, have developed an innovative solution: a bracelet with thermoelectric technology that sends waves of heat or cold directly to the user's body. This technology has the potential to transform the way we deal with heat, offering the sensation of portable air conditioning, without the need for large and expensive devices.
How the MIT Bracelet Works
The wristband, called Wristify, uses a intelligent system which allows pulses of heat or cold to be sent directly to the user's wrist.
This thermoelectric technology was developed to provide the sensation of air conditioning individually, without relying on conventional air conditioning systems.
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Researchers have found that human skin is highly sensitive to rapid changes in temperature.
When heat or cold waves are applied to the wrist, the effect is spread throughout the body, creating a sensation of thermal comfort similar to that of an air conditioner.
According to Sam Shames, one of the MIT students involved in the project, this process would “trick” the body into feeling a temperature variation in the location where the bracelet is.
He believes that in the future, the Wristify bracelet could even replace the use of air conditioning, especially in areas where access to this type of technology is limited.
Shames highlights that, for example, 89% of homes in Brazil do not have air conditioning, while 87% of homes in the United States have the device.
Benefits of MIT technology for thermal comfort
The project developed by MIT students can bring significant benefits, especially for those who do not have access to air conditioning in their homes.
The Wristify wristband offers a more affordable solution, providing the thermal comfort of an air conditioner without the need for large, expensive systems.
For Sam Shames, the idea is to reduce energy consumption, since air conditioners consume large amounts of energy, representing 16,5% of all primary energy consumed in the United States.
By offering a portable and more energy-efficient alternative, the bracelet can democratize access to thermal comfort.
The technology also helps reduce environmental impact, as the energy demand for large-scale air conditioning can be reduced.
With Wristify, people can experience heat relief without relying on traditional HVAC systems.
Bracelet development
The Wristify bracelet, which has an 8-hour battery life, went through 15 prototypes before reaching the current version.
Os sensors The bracelet's temperature can vary by up to 0,4 ºC per second, allowing quick adjustments for personalized thermal comfort.
The MIT was awarded $10 in a contest, which helped fund the development of the device.
The MIT students plan to use the prize to improve the bracelet and make the technology more accessible to the public.
The team believes that in the future, Wristify could become a viable alternative to conventional air conditioning, allowing more people to enjoy individual thermal comfort wherever they are.
They aim to transform the technology into a viable commercial product that can be widely used in the market.
Revolutionizing personal thermal comfort with new technology
With the advancement of tech, solutions like the Wristify bracelet have the potential to change the way we deal with heat and cold in our daily lives.
Instead of relying on expensive, energy-intensive air conditioning systems, users could carry the feeling of a climate-controlled environment on their wrist.
The MIT wristband represents a new way to provide thermal comfort in a more efficient, affordable and sustainable way.
I wonder if “tricking” the body with this thermal comfort could be dangerous to your health. Imagine going out in the cold and not feeling it. Risk of pneumonia. Or the opposite, being in the heat and not feeling it. The risk of becoming dehydrated and not realizing it.
I haven't read any considerations about this.