Self-Cooling Tent Can Turn Water Into Outdoor ‘Air-Conditioning’

It may sound enjoyable to go camping in the summer while relaxing under the sky with a gentle breeze sweeping over the area. Unfortunately, when your sleeping bag grows too hot, you’re left with an endless sleepless night. A potential solution to this issue, it seems, is a tent that can regulate its own temperature and keep you as cool as though an air-conditioning unit is in use.

The idea was developed by a University of Connecticut researcher who thinks it’s time to chuck out the portable fans and instead have the tent run a liquid cooling system to keep it functional during sweltering summer evenings.

Portable air conditioning units are also a popular choice currently. However, they are often bulky and require an external power source to power them up through the night.
 
In this case, all campers will need is a gallon of water to regulate the temperature of their tent. A single gallon can keep it cool for 24 hours. The research has determined that employing a fabric made of titanium dioxide can transfer water from basins attached to the tent’s base and spread it all over the fabric. The water will create a cooling effect once it evaporates and can possibly drop the inside temperature by up to 20°F.
 
The fabric’s reflective surface prevents the temperatures from dropping too low.
 
While the technology is still in its early stages, it’s an exciting development for the camping community. Al Kasani, the researcher in charge of the study, is working with UConn’s Technology Commercialization Services office to produce the tents at a broader scale. Kasani likewise believes that the research could also aid those in the military and emergency rescue services.
 
 
 
[via New Atlas and University of Connecticut, Photo 77711888 © Nataliia Dubchak | Dreamstime.com]