The Institute for Protective Apparel Research and Technology (IPART) houses equipment available for use (with user fees) to researchers across OSU campuses.

Thermal Environmental Chambers: There are two environmental chambers for controlled temperature and humidity experiments in IPART. The big environmental chamber is for human subject test and the small chamber houses a thermal mannequin. The big human chamber has the size of 12’x17’ with 9 feet height, and the temperature range is -10°C to 50°C. The small mannequin chamber has the size of 10’x11’ with 8 feet height, and the temperature range is -40°C to 50°C. The mannequin chamber also has dual evaporator function for continuous operation below freezing with no temperature deviation.

Thermal Mannequin: A mannequin can simulate human body temperature, human perspiration and can walk (move).  The mannequin can be used to test the thermal insulation and moisture vapor resistance of functional clothing. The size and configuration are similar to a typical man. The manikin height is 1.65m with a soft feel and flexible fabric skin. Fabric skin is breathable and can produce “perspiration.” Fabric can be replaced for prolonged use or for different surface property and texture. The core temperature can be controlled at 37°C. The core temperature can also be adjusted from 36°C to 40°C. The mannequin can produce gaseous “perspiration.” The perspiration rate can be modified within the range of human perspiration from 30g/h to 1000g/h. The mannequin’s motorized limbs can move to simulate the process of walking and help create a realistic test. The “walking” speed can be adjusted from 0 m/s (standing) to 0.7m/s. The thermal mannequin is placed in an environmental chamber for controlled environment temperature and humidity testing.

Sweating Guarded Hotplate: The sweating guarded hotplate is used to measure the thermal resistance (Rct) and evaporative resistance (Ret) values of textile fabrics in accordance with ISO 11092 and ASTM F1868 standards. The fabric sample size for the tseting is 12”x12”. The sweating guarded hotplate is placed in a desk top environmental chamber for controlled environmental temperature and humidity.

3D Body Scanner: The Human Solutions VITUS XXL 3D full-body scanner uses four lasers to illuminate the surface of the scanned object, eight CCD cameras to capture the reflected light and a computer system to transform the images and render them on a computer screen as a 3D surface of the scanned object. All lasers and cameras move simultaneously top-to-bottom around the scanned object taking a scan in about 12 seconds. The resolution of the scanner is ±2 mm in each direction. Accurate linear measurements of the scanned object can be taken manually or automatically using Scanworx or Anthroscan software by Human Solutions. Polyworks software is used for manipulation and editing of the scanned surface and for taking accurate linear, surface, or volume measurements.

For more general information regarding available equipment and services, please contact:
Dr. Semra Peksoz or Dr. Adriana Petrova
Department of Design, Housing and Merchandising
431 HES
(405) 744-5035