The invention is one or more articles, such as a headband or wristband, that include a material capable of imparting lightweight and thermally insulative characteristics to the article. Particularly, the article comprises one or more layers of aerogel material that impart an insulative characteristic so that it can comfortably be worn in summer months and winter months. In addition, the material is ultra lightweight, so that the article is not bulky and can be comfortably worn for long periods of time to reduce user fatigue. Thus, the article can be worn continuously, even during periods of rest and sleep.

One variation of a method for fabricating a dermal heatsink includes: fabricating a substrate defining an interior surface, an exterior surface opposite the interior surface, and an open network of pores extending between the interior surface and the exterior surface; activating surfaces of the substrate and walls of the open network of pores; applying a coating over the substrate to form a heatsink, the coating comprising a porous, hydrophilic material and defining a void network; removing an excess of the coating from the substrate to clear blockages within the open network of pores by the coating; hydrating the heatsink during a curing period; heating the heatsink during the curing period to increase porosity of the coating applied over surfaces of the substrate; and rinsing the heatsink with an acid to decarbonate the coating along walls of the open network of pores in the substrate.

A cooling headgear is disclosed. Absorbent material within the headgear retains cold water. When worn by a user, the headgear holds the cold water to the head of the user, cooling the user.

A lighting apparatus for use as a surgical headlamp is disclosed. A light emitting diode is positioned in a recess within a frustoconical, thermally-conductive heat sink that has a several circumferential ridges to provide a desired surface area for heat transfer. The diode and the heat sink are provided in a housing that also includes a fan for drawing ambient air into the housing to contact the heat sink and exhausting heated air. A lens is snap-fit into a slide that frictionally engages the interior of the housing, allowing a user to adjust the spacing between the light emitting diode and the lens as desired. Personal cooling apparatuses usable with the lighting apparatus are also described. Auxiliary undergown switches are also described as are personal cooling apparatuses.

A lighting apparatus for use as a surgical headlamp is disclosed. A light emitting diode is positioned in a recess within a frustoconical, thermally-conductive heat sink that has a several circumferential ridges to provide a desired surface area for heat transfer. The diode and the heat sink are provided in a housing that also includes a fan for drawing ambient air into the housing to contact the heat sink and exhausting heated air. A lens is snap-fit into a slide that frictionally engages the interior of the housing, allowing a user to adjust the spacing between the light emitting diode and the lens as desired. Personal cooling apparatuses usable with the lighting apparatus are also described. Auxiliary undergown switches are also described as are personal cooling apparatuses.

An interactive sweatband includes a center portion having a first end and an opposing second end. The sweatband includes a first wing portion that extends from and is operably engaged with the first end of the center portion. The sweatband includes a second wing portion that extends from and is operably engaged with the opposing second end of the center portion. The sweatband device may further include a front surface and an opposing rear surface. The sweatband may include an outflow channel that extends along and is defined by at least one of the front and opposing rear surface of the sweatband.

A thermoelectric device suitable for power generation by the Seebeck effect or heating and cooling by the Peltier effect includes a flexible thermoelectric layer with a flexible heatsink layer. A thermally conductive layer can optionally be included on the side of the thermoelectric layer opposite the flexible heatsink layer. Because of its flexibility and durability, the thermoelectric device can be utilized for products such as a thermoelectric generator or cooling/heating system for consumer products, such as a bedding, clothing, hats, seat cushions, and personal portable devices.

An elastic band for an article of clothing is described comprising an elongated strip-shaped outer layer of woven, longitudinally stretchable fabric, the outer layer being hydrophilic; an elongated strip-shaped inner layer of a different woven, longitudinally stretchable fabric the inner layer being hydrophobic and a logo woven into the fabric of the outer layer. Also disclosed is a double-layer construct for an elastic band comprising a hydrophobic section having apertures, a hydrophilic section having apertures, wherein the hydrophobic and hydrophilic sections are juxtaposed.

One variation of a method for fabricating a dermal heatsink includes: fabricating a substrate defining an interior surface, an exterior surface opposite the interior surface, and an open network of pores extending between the interior surface and the exterior surface; activating surfaces of the substrate and walls of the open network of pores; applying a coating over the substrate to form a heatsink, the coating comprising a porous, hydrophilic material and defining a void network; removing an excess of the coating from the substrate to clear blockages within the open network of pores by the coating; hydrating the heatsink during a curing period; heating the heatsink during the curing period to increase porosity of the coating applied over surfaces of the substrate; and rinsing the heatsink with an acid to decarbonate the coating along walls of the open network of pores in the substrate.

A thermoelectric cooler (TEC) headband operable to fit around a user's head. The TEC headband includes a pair of TEC devices spaced apart a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance is sized to position the TEC devices on either side of a forehead of the user. Each TEC device includes a cooling plate and a heating plate. The TEC devices are operable, via a Peltier effect, to conduct heat from the cooling plate to the heating plate when a current is conducted therethrough. A pair of heat sinks are positioned in thermal contact with the heating plate of each TEC device. Each heat sink is operable to conduct heat away from its associated heating plate. A housing is operable to contain the pair of TEC devices and pair of heat sinks. The TEC headband is operable to cool the user's forehead when placed thereon.