1.2 Research Concept
3
6. How can current motorcycle helmets be modified to obtain cooling inside the
helmets without compromising safety compliance?
1.2.3 Objectives of the Study
The aim of this research is to investigate the practicality of using paraffinic phase
change materials (PCMs) and water absorbent polymeric textile (PWAT) materials as
a means of cooling the wearers of motorcycle helmets. The basic theory and processes
of head cooling within helmets will be examined with a view to developing criteria to
assist motorcycle helmet designers and manufacturers to produce effective designs
that maximise helmet ventilation and reduce heat stress inside the helmet, while
not compromising the protective performance of the helmet. It is envisaged that
the new developments would avoid modifying helmets, so that the new processes or
techniques could be both incorporated into new helmets and retrofitted to the existing
helmets.
The two main objectives of this project are:
1. To investigate whether PCM textile materials and PWAT materials can be used
as a textile liner inside the helmet to reduce the heat stress of a motorcyclist;
2. To evaluate the performance of PCM textile materials and water-absorbent
materials to reduce heat stress.
The research will enable the design and manufacture of safety standard compliant
helmets that are comfortable in high heat and humidity regions. At present, there are
no mechanisms to achieve this, other than to increase ventilation and thereby lower
the safety standard (introducing more holes into the helmet decreases the safety of
the helmet). This research will provide supporting data and a mechanism to enable
the computer-aided design of cool helmets, which is at present not possible.
1.3 Hypothesis
The current study aims to use paraffinic PCM and PWAT materials inside motorcycle
helmets, which will result in the reduction of temperature. The hypotheses for this
investigation are:
1. Paraffinic PCM materials and PWAT materials can be used to reduce the
temperature by 2–3 °C inside the helmets (Fig. 1.1).
2. Application of these materials as a removable textile liner will facilitate the
ventilation and reduce the heat stress of the existing helmets and new helmets
without affecting the safety aspects of the helmets.
Microencapsulated PCMs embedded in the textile substrate are expected to reduce
the temperature inside the helmet [16]. PCM microcapsules are embedded in the
3
6. How can current motorcycle helmets be modified to obtain cooling inside the
helmets without compromising safety compliance?
1.2.3 Objectives of the Study
The aim of this research is to investigate the practicality of using paraffinic phase
change materials (PCMs) and water absorbent polymeric textile (PWAT) materials as
a means of cooling the wearers of motorcycle helmets. The basic theory and processes
of head cooling within helmets will be examined with a view to developing criteria to
assist motorcycle helmet designers and manufacturers to produce effective designs
that maximise helmet ventilation and reduce heat stress inside the helmet, while
not compromising the protective performance of the helmet. It is envisaged that
the new developments would avoid modifying helmets, so that the new processes or
techniques could be both incorporated into new helmets and retrofitted to the existing
helmets.
The two main objectives of this project are:
1. To investigate whether PCM textile materials and PWAT materials can be used
as a textile liner inside the helmet to reduce the heat stress of a motorcyclist;
2. To evaluate the performance of PCM textile materials and water-absorbent
materials to reduce heat stress.
The research will enable the design and manufacture of safety standard compliant
helmets that are comfortable in high heat and humidity regions. At present, there are
no mechanisms to achieve this, other than to increase ventilation and thereby lower
the safety standard (introducing more holes into the helmet decreases the safety of
the helmet). This research will provide supporting data and a mechanism to enable
the computer-aided design of cool helmets, which is at present not possible.
1.3 Hypothesis
The current study aims to use paraffinic PCM and PWAT materials inside motorcycle
helmets, which will result in the reduction of temperature. The hypotheses for this
investigation are:
1. Paraffinic PCM materials and PWAT materials can be used to reduce the
temperature by 2–3 °C inside the helmets (Fig. 1.1).
2. Application of these materials as a removable textile liner will facilitate the
ventilation and reduce the heat stress of the existing helmets and new helmets
without affecting the safety aspects of the helmets.
Microencapsulated PCMs embedded in the textile substrate are expected to reduce
the temperature inside the helmet [16]. PCM microcapsules are embedded in the