Uwe Reischl, professor in the School of Allied Health Sciences Department of Community and Environmental Health, presented a research paper at the ninth International Textile Bioengineering and Informatics Symposium hosted by the RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, July 12-15, 2016. Reischl was an invited plenary keynote speaker. His paper, titled “Evaporative Cooling of Wet Clothing,” was co-authored with Kylie Pace, a graduate student in the master of health science program, Conrad Colby, professor emeritus of health science, and Ravindra Goonetilleke, professor at the Hong Kong University of Science of Technology in Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong.
The paper presented results of wind-tunnel tests performed on selected textile fabrics exposed to controlled air flow, air temperature and humidity and containing various levels of moisture. The study revealed short-term and long-term cooling phenomena for cotton, polyester, nylon and silk, including multi-layer configurations. The findings provide the foundation for the design and development of new garments that provide optimal evaporative cooling of sweat in hot environments and during heavy physical exertion. The findings are applicable to occupational health and safety concerns and sports medicine.