ARC, ST Engineering’s revolutionary personal cooling solution, was finally launched in the summer of 2023. 6 years of research and development, various trials and prototype designs, have culminated in this ultimate wearable thermoelectric device.
Built on the foundation of solid-state cooling technology, complimented by our proprietary Thermo-Flo Cooling Tech, the outcome is a groundbreaking device capable of bringing long-lasting immersive 360-degree cooling to the mass market.
Read on to explore the technology behind our latest innovation.
The Foundation: Solid-State Cooling
Solid-state cooling, the foundation of the technology behind ARC, uses solid-state materials, typically thermoelectric materials, to achieve cooling without the use of refrigerants or moving parts. It is compact, quiet and can be used for localized heating or cooling. Solid-state cooling is commonly used in applications where traditional refrigeration systems are not suitable, such as in electronics or medical equipment.
A Thermoelectric Cooling Device like ARC makes use of the Peltier effect – a thermoelectric phenomenon that is used in solid-state cooling. When an electrical current is passed through a thermoelectric material, the Peltier effect causes one side of the material to become hot and the other side to become cold.
ARC has a cooling system that includes several parts: finned heat sinks, fans, and a Peltier module. When the Peltier module is powered on, it creates a temperature difference between its two sides. The cold side of the Peltier comes into contact with a conductive cooling plate, while the hot side comes into contact with a finned sink. The heat is then removed through forced convection, which means that a fan blows air over the finned heat sink to help remove the heat.
Innovation: Thermo-Flo Cooling Tech
Thermo-Flo Cooling Tech is ST Engineering’s cutting-edge proprietary cooling technology that has been engineered to overcome the known limitations of Peltier technology. While Peltier modules are capable of reducing the contact surface temperature quickly, they require an effective heat dissipation mechanism to be truly efficient. ARC’s Thermo-Flo cooling mechanism achieves this by drawing heat away from the heat source efficiently, resulting in a cooler surface temperature. This is made possible by optimizing the airflow through the device’s intake along with a careful selection of the heat sink and an axial fan delivering forced convection.
If not properly optimised, Peltier modules can consume a lot of power. To address this issue, ST Engineering’s developers made software improvements during the development phase to improve cooling sensation while reducing power consumption. Real-world user testing was carried out to determine a comfortable surface temperature range, and power levels were adjusted to provide the optimal amount of cooling energy while extending the ARC’s runtime.
Behind the Developmental Process
Throughout the engineering development process of ARC, we refined several design features based on user feedback. One such refinement is the inclusion of the lightweight aluminium heat sink with a large finned surface area. This inclusion allows the device to maximize the efficiency of its heat dissipation mechanism while minimizing additional bulk that may make long-term wear uncomfortable.
The Peltier module has also been upgraded since its previous iteration, reducing power consumption in line with improving cooling efficacy. This has resulted in an extended runtime of 240 minutes, up from the previous 90 minutes. New axial fans have also been installed to increase cooling performance while decreasing noise levels, providing the user with a more comfortable experience.
Based on feedback from real-world testing, the cooling contact area has been expanded and is now 8 times larger than similar back cooling devices. Furthermore, to accommodate different user preferences, a modular and 2-way adjustable fan can be attached to the main cooling module to enhance the cooling experience.
ARC also has a pair of highly adjustable shoulder straps that can be adjusted to fit a variety of body types and increase stability while performing dynamic motions. Additionally, the cooling module is Quick Charge 3.0 compatible, providing fast charging capabilities.
Overall, ARC’s engineering development is a testament to our commitment towards user satisfaction, as evidenced by the numerous design upgrades based on test audience and industry stakeholder feedback.
A Step Above The Competition
In the current cooling solution landscape, there are a variety of competitors of ARC both direct and indirect. However, it must be recognized that ARC possesses a series of unique advantages compiled into a singular device that helps it stand above the rest.
When compared to standing fans and traditional large-sized portable air-conditioning units, ARC stands out for its mobility. ARC does not require to be plugged into a power source during use, nor is it limited to cooling a particular area. It can be operated without any power cables and follows the user wherever he or she goes.
Neck-worn cooling fans on the other hand, while equally portable, do not feature adjustable temperature settings and often have poor performance in terms of continuous operation. Cooling vests, although similarly priced to ARC, do not have the multi-modal cooling functions of the latter.
Compared to other wearable coolers for industrial use, ARC outperforms its peers in terms of cooling area and cooling efficacy. It also boasts an IP54 water and dust-resistant rating, ensuring that it can perform in environments such as workshops, warehouses and shipyards. ARC possesses a rugged design and has undergone rigorous drop testing. We have also incorporated an emergency shutdown and quick-release function amidst other safety features. With up to 8 hours of usage time, its battery life allows it to last throughout the working day.
A Brief History of ARC
Eight years ago, we initiated a project to develop a specialized untethered cooling solution for military applications. Our first device, ARTIC, is a wearable vest integrated with a proprietary cooling system to cool soldiers even through their thick uniforms.
Following interest from outside the military sector, we felt inspired to develop a new product for the mass market. The resulting device is ARC – a revolutionary wearable cooling gear boasting long-lasting immersive 360-degree cooling.
