A fabric startup needed to verify that their materials provided an evaporative cooling effect. The new technology wasn’t just cool to the touch, but actually helped the body with thermophysiological (body temperature) regulation. The startup knew its technology worked but there was no way to prove it. Existing methods measured cool touch or wicking, attributes that may offer only temporary relief or actually contribute to higher body temp. Cooling claims could only go so far without unbiased, independent data to support them.
At the time, there was no industry standard for evaporative cooling or device to measure it. Due to its reputation for extensive textile knowledge and customized testing, the startup came to Hohenstein…and a new method to quantify evaporative heat loss was born.
Hohenstein combined their knowledge of thermophysiology, physics, textiles and designing customized tests and equipment to develop WATson, a device and method that measures cooling power, cooling power over time, fabric response and dry time.
The new method and the data it provides was a game changer. WATson was, and still is, the only device that can quantitatively measure evaporative cooling ability. The method has been used for product development, benchmarking, quality assurance and verified claims on fabrics, performance apparel, bedding systems and helmets.
With the positive reception came a push for Hohenstein’s WATson to become the industry standard. A committee of expert stakeholders published WATson as a DIN SPEC standard (60015) and plan for ISO standardization next. Standardizations help innovators gain industry recognition and customer acceptance with products that meet industry-wide accepted standards.
Visit Hohenstein at booth #504 to learn more.
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