IP Requirement: Industry IP
Experience Requirement:
– Mechanical Design
– Potentially Electronics
– Rapid Prototyping
Problem Description
Maintaining particle control and sterility is critical in cleanroom environments across industries such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and semiconductor manufacturing. Operators in these controlled environments don full-body protective apparel (including coveralls, masks, hoods, and goggles) designed to meet strict ISO and GMP standards and prevent contaminants from compromising product quality. However, these sealed PPE designs trap heat, restrict ventilation, and cause significant discomfort during prolonged use. Heat buildup contributes to fatigue, reduced focus, and increased error rates, in addition to posing severe health and safety risks such as dehydration and heat stress to the operator [1].
Existing passive cooling solutions, such as moisture-wicking fabrics or ventilation panels, do not adequately manage poor air circulation and heat buildup in typical cleanroom environments. Some active cooling technologies in the market provide localized cooling for specific areas, such as the head and neck, using adjustable fans to facilitate active air exchange. However, these solutions do not address full-body cooling needs required for a comprehensive coverall system. Other active cooling mechanisms in non-cleanroom applications also fall short due to challenges surrounding particle release, bulkiness, and compromises in sterility. These limitations highlight the need for a novel, cleanroom-compliant approach to active cooling in coverall systems. Key considerations include industry-specific requirements for ergonomic fit, breathability, filtration performance, particle containment, noise and vision, sterility, and cost. These unique design features can be implemented into the coverall design to provide a competitive advantage over existing solutions.
The goal of this project is to design and develop an active cooling system for cleanroom coveralls intended for ISO-rated cleanrooms. By actively regulating heat across the entire body, the solution would reduce the health and safety risks associated with overheating, whilst enhancing operator focus and productivity. Improvements in user comfort would also result in fewer product defects and ensure regulatory compliance, positively impacting the broader cleanroom-dependent consumer/patient ecosystem.
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