Volume 3 · Issue 10 (2026)
DOI number:
10.66521/2938-9933-2026102802
Thermal Burden During Safety Helmet Use in Hot Conditions and a Conceptual Cooling System Design
Rui Wang
Shenyang Aerospace University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
Corresponding Author: Rui Wang (17309819886@163.com)
Abstract: This study assessed helmet-related burden in hot conditions and used the findings to motivate a cooling-device concept. Twenty-four healthy adult males completed Helmet and No-helmet conditions at 35 ± 1 °C and 70 ± 5% relative humidity. Helmet temperature rose from 35.0 to 42.8 °C. Helmet wearing was associated with small heart-rate increases, more psychomotor vigilance task (PVT) lapses (7.71 versus 6.29; p = 0.012), longer median reaction time (287.08 versus 283.00 ms; p = 0.014), greater Stroop interference (p = 0.015), and higher post-task subjective burden (11.67 versus 10.83; p = 0.022). A thermoelectric cooling system coupled to a proposed in-helmet heat-exchange circuit is introduced as a conceptual response. The experiment identifies assessment outcomes for future device testing; it does not establish cooling effectiveness. Thermal capacity, power demand, wearability, and physiological and cognitive benefits remain to be evaluated.
Keywords: Safety helmet; Heat exposure; Thermoelectric cooling; Head cooling; Cognitive performance
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