Heatables: Effects of Infrared-LED-Induced Ear Heating on Thermal Perception, Comfort, and Cognitive Performance
Valeria Zitz, Michael K\"uttner, Jonas Hummel, Michael T. Knierim, Michael Beigl, Tobias R\"oddiger

TL;DR
This study introduces Heatables, an in-ear device using NIR-IR LEDs to locally heat tissues, which improves thermal perception and comfort during cold exposure, potentially enhancing indoor thermal comfort without bulky systems.
Contribution
The paper presents a novel in-ear wearable that uses NIR-IR LEDs for localized heating, demonstrating its effectiveness in improving thermal perception and comfort in cold environments.
Findings
Heatables increased perceived ambient temperature by ~1.5°C.
Thermal comfort and acceptability improved with device use.
Benefits extended beyond ear region, enhancing overall comfort.
Abstract
Maintaining thermal comfort in shared indoor environments remains challenging, as centralized HVAC systems are slow to adapt and standardized to group norms. Cold exposure not only reduces subjective comfort but can impair cognitive performance, particularly under moderate to severe cold stress. Personal Comfort Systems (PCS) have shown promise by providing localized heating, yet many designs target distal body parts with low thermosensitivity and often lack portability. In this work, we investigate whether targeted thermal stimulation using in-ear worn devices can manipulate thermal perception and enhance thermal comfort. We present Heatables, a novel in-ear wearable that emits Near-Infrared (NIR) and Infrared (IR) radiation via integrated LEDs to deliver localized optical heating. This approach leverages NIR-IR's ability to penetrate deeper tissues, offering advantages over…
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Taxonomy
TopicsBuilding Energy and Comfort Optimization · Impact of Light on Environment and Health
