Making Cooled Clothing

8 hours ago

The author discusses cooling solutions for hot summer days, comparing traditional air conditioners, thermoelectric coolers, and evaporative cooling, finding them unsuitable for personal use.
A personal cooling solution using sodium sulfate decahydrate is proposed, which melts around 18°C and absorbs heat similarly to ice, but at a safer temperature for skin contact.
A recipe includes water, sodium sulfate, table salt, optional thickener (e.g., CMC or xanthan gum), and borax to prevent settling and mold; the mixture is heated and cooled to form a gel-like substance.
Packaging suggestions involve heat-sealed polyethylene bags, possibly partitioned, with straps for wearability; a t-shirt underneath and light shirt over the packs are recommended for comfort and sun protection.
Testing shows the mixture has about 90 J/g heat capacity, roughly 30% as effective as ice, with practical tests indicating cooling for about an hour using 400g packs, suitable for DIY and low-cost applications.

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