Apparel with heating and cooling capabilities

Abstract

A process and system for heating or cooling comprising a ihermoelectric unit having a cooling surface and a heating surface, the cooling surface being thermally insulated from the heating surface is provided. A heat sink is thermally coupled the thermoelectric unit and a wicking material operatively coupled to the heat sink. The wicking material may be substantially saturated with a mixture of water and DNA to dissipate energy. An apparel item incorporating the system for heating and cooling is also provided.

1 . A system for heating or cooling comprising:
 a thermoelectric unit having a cooling surface and a heating surface, the cooling surface being thermally insulated from the heating surface;   a heat sink thermally coupled the thermoelectric unit; and   a wicking material operatively coupled to the heat sink.   
   
   
       2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the wicking material is substantially saturated with water, DNA or a mixture of water and DNA or any other material that consumes energy during a phase change or increase in temperature. 
   
   
       3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat sink and wicking material maximize the surface area for evaporation. 
   
   
       4 . The system according to  claim 2 , further comprising a breathable layer disposed on the wicking material to allow evaporation of the water to the environment. 
   
   
       5 . The system according to  claim 2 , further comprising a phase change material operatively coupled to the thermoelectric unit. 
   
   
       6 . The system according to  claim 2 , further comprising a unit to resaturate the wicking material with water, DNA or the mixture of water and DNA mixture or any other material that consumes energy during a phase change or increase in temperature. 
   
   
       7 . The system according to  claim 2 , further comprising a battery unit to power the thermoelectric unit. 
   
   
       8 . The system according to  claims 2  incorporated into an apparel item. 
   
   
       9 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein the apparel item is selected from jackets, vests, helmets, shows, hats, undergarments, pants, socks. 
   
   
       10 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat sink is a layer of aluminum. 
   
   
       11 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat sink is selected from a layer of aluminum, metal or composite material. 
   
   
       12 . An apparel item for heating or cooling comprising;
 a thermoelectric unit having a cooling surface and a heating surface, the cooling surface being thermally insulated from the heating surface:   a heat sink material thermally coupled the thermoelectric unit;   a wicking material operatively coupled to the heat sink; and   a battery unit to power the thermoelectric unit.   
   
   
       13 . The apparel item according to  claim 12 , wherein the wicking material is substantially saturated with water, DNA or a mixture of water and DNA or any other material that consumes energy during a phase change or increase in temperature. 
   
   
       14 . The apparel item according to  claim 13 , further comprising a breathable layer disposed on the wicking material to allow evaporation of the water to the environment. 
   
   
       15 . The apparel item according to  claim 13 , further comprising a phase change material operatively coupled to the thermoelectric unit. 
   
   
       16 . The apparel item according to  claim 13 , further comprising a unit to resaturate the wicking material with water, DNA or the mixture of water and DNA mixture or any other material that consumes energy during a phase change or increase in temperature. 
   
   
       17 . The apparel item according to  claim 13 , wherein the apparel item is selected from jackets, vests, helmets, shows, hats, undergarments, pants, socks. 
   
   
       18 . The apparel item according to  claim 13 , wherein the heat sink is a layer of aluminum. 
   
   
       19 . A process for heating or cooling comprising the steps of:
 providing an apparel item including a thermoelectric unit having a cooling surface and a heating surface, the cooling surface being thermally insulated from the heating surface;   providing a heat sink material thermally coupled the thermoelectric unit;   providing a wicking material operatively coupled to the heat sink; and   providing a battery unit to power the thermoelectric unit.   
   
   
       20 . The process according to  claim 19 , wherein the wicking material is substantially saturated with water, DNA or a mixture of water and DNA or any other material that consumes energy during a phase change or increase in temperature.