Design and Thermal Evaluation of a Soft Textile System with a Removable Gel Cooling Panel

The study presents the thermal evaluation of soft knitted textile systems with removable gel cooling panels. Two prototype configurations with different geometries and gel panel sizes were investigated using infrared thermography under controlled laboratory conditions. The results show a moderated and gradual cooling response during contact. The strongest surface cooling occurred shortly after contact, followed by a gradual increase in the surface temperature of the textile system due to heat transfer from the skin-temperature simulator. While the temperature of the skin-temperature simulator stabilised rapidly, the textile surface maintained a perceptible cooling effect over a longer period. Surface temperatures remained within ranges associated with comfort and safety under the applied experimental conditions. The findings indicate that system geometry and gel panel size influence heat exchange, while the knitted textile structure contributes to the observed cooling behaviour of the complete system. The results support the potential of knitted textile systems with removable gel cooling panels for gentle, localised cooling applications in controlled, non-clinical settings.