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About the Project

Research and Development
Thermal Manikin and Modeling
ADAM - Thermal Manikin
Physiological Model
Thermal Comfort Model
Integrated Modeling
Heat Generated Cooling
Air Conditioning and Emissions
Laboratory Capabilities

Publications

Working with Us
Industry Participants


Thermal Comfort Model

Photo of human testing to determine thermal comfort perception data.Working with researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, our team at NREL developed an empirical model of people's temperature sensation (hot/cold) as well as perceptions (comfortable/uncomfortable) in a transient non-homogeneous environment. The model predicts sensation and comfort locally (at specific points on the body) as well as globally (overall).

Photo of human testing to determine thermal comfort perception data.The university performed more than 100 tests on human test subjects in a controlled environmental chamber under a range of steady state and transient thermal conditions. Participants subjectively recorded their thermal comfort on a simple form. Core and local skin temperature data was recorded as well. These data were used to develop numerical correlations to convert human physiological data into sensation and comfort. The thermal comfort model receives core temperatures, skin temperatures, and the rates of change from the physiological model and sends data to ADAM, the advanced automotive thermal manikin.





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