New, Optimized Skin Calorimeter Version for Measuring Thermal Responses of Localized Skin Areas during Physical Activity

We present an optimized version of the skin calorimeter for measuring localized skin thermal responses during physical activity. Enhancements include a new holding system, more sensitive thermopiles, and an upgraded spiked heat sink for improved efficiency. In addition, we used a new, improved calor...

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Main Authors: Miriam Rodríguez de Rivera, Pedro Jesús Rodríguez de Rivera
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-09-01
Series:Sensors
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/18/5927
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author Miriam Rodríguez de Rivera
Pedro Jesús Rodríguez de Rivera
author_facet Miriam Rodríguez de Rivera
Pedro Jesús Rodríguez de Rivera
author_sort Miriam Rodríguez de Rivera
collection DOAJ
description We present an optimized version of the skin calorimeter for measuring localized skin thermal responses during physical activity. Enhancements include a new holding system, more sensitive thermopiles, and an upgraded spiked heat sink for improved efficiency. In addition, we used a new, improved calorimetric model that takes into account all the variables that influence the measurement process. Resolution in power measurement is 1 mW. Performance tests under air currents and movement disturbances showed that the device maintains high accuracy; the deviation produced by these significant disturbances is less than 5%. Human subject tests, both at rest and during exercise, confirmed its ability to accurately measure localized skin heat flux, heat capacity, and thermal resistance (less than 5% uncertainty). These findings highlight the calorimeter’s potential for applications in sports medicine and physiological studies.
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spelling doaj-art-a8370fd7cb2d4ff5929ccdd53e28348f2025-08-20T01:55:50ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202024-09-012418592710.3390/s24185927New, Optimized Skin Calorimeter Version for Measuring Thermal Responses of Localized Skin Areas during Physical ActivityMiriam Rodríguez de Rivera0Pedro Jesús Rodríguez de Rivera1Cardiology Service, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, 39008 Santander, SpainDepartment of Physics, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35001 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, SpainWe present an optimized version of the skin calorimeter for measuring localized skin thermal responses during physical activity. Enhancements include a new holding system, more sensitive thermopiles, and an upgraded spiked heat sink for improved efficiency. In addition, we used a new, improved calorimetric model that takes into account all the variables that influence the measurement process. Resolution in power measurement is 1 mW. Performance tests under air currents and movement disturbances showed that the device maintains high accuracy; the deviation produced by these significant disturbances is less than 5%. Human subject tests, both at rest and during exercise, confirmed its ability to accurately measure localized skin heat flux, heat capacity, and thermal resistance (less than 5% uncertainty). These findings highlight the calorimeter’s potential for applications in sports medicine and physiological studies.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/18/5927conduction calorimetrydirect calorimetryskin heat fluxskin calorimeterskin thermal propertiessports medicine sensors
spellingShingle Miriam Rodríguez de Rivera
Pedro Jesús Rodríguez de Rivera
New, Optimized Skin Calorimeter Version for Measuring Thermal Responses of Localized Skin Areas during Physical Activity
Sensors
conduction calorimetry
direct calorimetry
skin heat flux
skin calorimeter
skin thermal properties
sports medicine sensors
title New, Optimized Skin Calorimeter Version for Measuring Thermal Responses of Localized Skin Areas during Physical Activity
title_full New, Optimized Skin Calorimeter Version for Measuring Thermal Responses of Localized Skin Areas during Physical Activity
title_fullStr New, Optimized Skin Calorimeter Version for Measuring Thermal Responses of Localized Skin Areas during Physical Activity
title_full_unstemmed New, Optimized Skin Calorimeter Version for Measuring Thermal Responses of Localized Skin Areas during Physical Activity
title_short New, Optimized Skin Calorimeter Version for Measuring Thermal Responses of Localized Skin Areas during Physical Activity
title_sort new optimized skin calorimeter version for measuring thermal responses of localized skin areas during physical activity
topic conduction calorimetry
direct calorimetry
skin heat flux
skin calorimeter
skin thermal properties
sports medicine sensors
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/18/5927
work_keys_str_mv AT miriamrodriguezderivera newoptimizedskincalorimeterversionformeasuringthermalresponsesoflocalizedskinareasduringphysicalactivity
AT pedrojesusrodriguezderivera newoptimizedskincalorimeterversionformeasuringthermalresponsesoflocalizedskinareasduringphysicalactivity