Active thermoregulation with palm cooling for efficient human-climate adaptation

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences awarded $283,808 to Kuhler Technologies Inc. on September 1, 2026, under the Environmental Health program (CFDA 93.113) to validate the feasibility of the Kuhler palm cooling device, a portable thermoelectric device designed to accelerate core temperature recovery following heat exposure.

The Phase I feasibility study will use a randomized, crossover design to test the device against passive cooling, measuring core temperature recovery time, temperature decay curves, heart rate stabilization, skin temperature modulation, and perceived comfort and fatigue. The research targets arteriovenous anastomoses in the palms of the hands to optimize thermal dissipation via venous blood return without reliance on ice, water, or refrigeration. Results will establish proof-of-concept data to support Phase II development and commercialization.

Work is performed in Boston, Massachusetts, with a period of performance from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027. This is an SBIR award focused on advancing portable cooling technologies to address heat-related health risks in vulnerable populations including older adults, individuals with chronic health conditions, and outdoor workers.

Abstract

Extreme heat exposure poses an urgent and growing public health threat, disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations such as older adults, individuals with chronic health conditions, and outdoor workers. Current cooling solutions, including air conditioning, ICE packs, cooling fans, and cooling vests, are impractical for on-demand use, inaccessible when needed, insufficiently effective, resource-intensive, and/or environmentally unsustainable. This phase i feasibility study aims to validate the kühler palm cooling device, an innovative, portable thermoelectric device designed to accelerate core temperature recovery following heat exposure by optimizing the thermal interface with the arteriovenous anastomoses (avas) in glabrous skin of the palms of the hands. Kühler offers an energy-efficient and scalable approach to accelerated heat dissipation and core body cooling via venous blood return without reliance on ICE, water, or refrigeration. The proposed research uses a randomized, crossover design to compare the kühler device against passive cooling, measuring core temperature recovery time, temperature decay curves, and secondary physiological responses, including heart rate stabilization, skin temperature modulation, and perceived comfort and fatigue. The study will also assess device usability and feasibility as a portable intervention for heat stress mitigation. Results will provide proof-of-concept data to support phase II development and commercialization, advancing portable cooling technologies that address the health impacts of heat stress, with a focus on protecting at-risk populations from environmental stressors. Kühler has the potential to provide a transformative, sustainable, and accessible tool for enhancing thermal resilience and reducing heat-related health risks.