The heat is intense, and solutions for keeping your head cool are often limited. A new development proposes a headband made with 3D printing that integrates microcapsules of cooling gel into its fabric. Activation requires moistening it with water, at which point the gel expands and cools the forehead for a period of up to three hours, offering prolonged relief without the need for electricity or batteries.
Gel microcapsules in a printed textile mesh 🧊
The design is based on a 3D-printed thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) structure that acts as a flexible skeleton. Inside this mesh, microcapsules of a polyurethane gel with high absorption capacity are integrated. Upon contact with water, the gel hydrates and activates an endothermic process that absorbs heat from the skin's surface. 3D printing allows control over the fabric's density and the distribution of the capsules, optimizing the controlled evaporation that sustains the cooling sensation for the stated time.
The invention that turns your forehead into a portable freezer 😅
Finally, a solution for those moments when sweat makes you look like a poorly closed faucet and the air conditioner scoffs at you from the wall. Forget about sticking your head in the freezer or using a bag of frozen peas as a hat. This headband lets you maintain your dignity while the rest of the world boils, as long as you don't mind walking around with a wet forehead as if you just stepped out of the shower. At least, the irony of paying for an accessory that is basically a stylish sponge will make you feel modern while you sweat.