fluids

Communication
Thermal Jacket Design Using Cellulose Aerogels
for Heat Insulation Application of Water Bottles
Hai M. Duong *, Ziyang Colin Xie, Koh Hong Wei, Ng Gek Nian, Kenneth Tan, Hong Jie Lim,
An Hua Li, Ka-Shing Chung and Wen Zhen Lim
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 9 Engineering Drive 1,
EA-07-08, Singapore 117575, Singapore; colinxie@u.nus.edu (Z.C.X.); a0124203@u.nus.edu (K.H.W.);
a0125030@u.nus.edu (N.G.N.); a0124334@u.nus.edu (K.T.); a0124479@u.nus.edu (H.J.L.);
anhua.li@u.nus.edu (A.H.L.); chungkashing@u.nus.edu (K.-S.C.); limwenzhen@yahoo.com.sg (W.Z.L.)
* Correspondence: mpedhm@nus.edu.sg; Tel.: +65-9769-9600

Received: 2 November 2017; Accepted: 17 November 2017; Published: 23 November 2017

Abstract: Thermal jacket design using eco-friendly cellulose fibers from recycled paper waste is
developed in this report. Neoprene as an outmost layer, cellulose aerogels in the middle and Nylon
as an innermost layer can form the best sandwiched laminate using the zigzag stitching method for
thermal jacket development. The temperature of the ice slurry inside the water bottle covered with
the designed thermal jackets remains at 0.1 ◦ C even after 4 h, which is the average duration of an
outfield exercise. Interestingly, the insulation performance of the designed thermal jackets is much
better than the commercial insulated water bottles like FLOE bottles and is very competition to that
of vacuum flasks for a same period of 4 h and ambient conditions.

Keywords: cellulose aerogel; thermal conductivity; water bottle; thermal jacket design; heat insulation

1. Introduction
Soldiers in the Armed Forces (AF) regularly can embark on vigorous physical activities in a hot
and humid training environment. The military canteen is an essential piece of equipment to contain
fluid, which provides sufficient rehydration for each soldier during training and prevents the onset of
heat-related injuries [1]. Heat injury is often a consequence of prolonged activity under hot and humid
conditions, which is exacerbated by dehydration and failure to replenish lost bodily fluids. Its severity
ranges from mild heat cramps to heat exhaustion and serious heat stroke, which is a medical emergency
and can potentially be fatal if not treated immediately [1].
Despite an extensive list of heat management guidelines, heat injuries still occur from time to
time in the AF. Certainly, it can be done more to prevent the very occurrence of heat injury during
training. Several sports science studies [2,3] have stated that lower core body temperature and longer
work tolerance time can be achieved by ingesting ice slurry before and during physical exercise.
Ingestion of ice slurry can regulate body temperature more effectively than consumption of chilled
water. This is because of the higher cooling capacity of ice particles, which can absorb heat at a near
constant phase-change temperature [2,3]. Therefore, a lightweight and highly insulated water bottle to
store the ice slurry is desired.
The current AF military canteen is made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) material, which is
lightweight, durable, and low cost [4]. However, HDPE has rather high thermal conductivity
and maintains poorly chilled beverages [4]. Commercial FLOE bottles (Teknicool Ltd, Auckland,
New Zealand) are designed for sports activities such as cycling. The FLOE bottles have an air gap
between the inner and outer materials of the bottles, which can reduce heat transfer through conduction.
But the FLOE bottle cannot keep ice slurry for a prolonged period in outfield [5]. By creating a layer of
vacuum between the inner and outer surface, commercial vacuum flasks can eliminate heat transfer

Fluids 2017, 2, 64; doi:10.3390/fluids2040064 www.mdpi.com/journal/fluids

Fluids 2017, 2, 64 2 of 8

via conduction and convection and maintain ice retention for up to a few days [6]. However, there is
little or no available research on the applicability of the vacuum flasks under the walking and running
conditions of military purposes. The vacuum flasks also having high cost and heavy weight may not
be the best alternative replacing the current military canteens [5,6].
As the commercial thermal insulated bottles are not optimized for military applications in terms
of thermal insulating properties, mechanical properties and cost consideration, another engineering
solution is to develop a lightweight and cost-effective thermal jacket wrapped on the existing military
canteens. Beer Koozie utilizes a foam sleeve wrapped on bottles to provide thermal insulation and
prevent condensation on the surface of the bottle, which can slow down heat transfer [7]. The effect of
condensation shows that the temperature changes of water inside the bottle in an environment with
40% and 85% relative humidity is 39 ◦ C and 44 ◦ C, respectively [1,7]. So Koozie sleeves cannot keep
the low temperature of the military canteen water.
Among common insulation materials such as polystyrene foam [7,8], using cellulose aerogels from
paper waste [9–12] can be a better insulator choice. The cellulose aerogels are environmentally friendly
and are made of the cellulose fibers from recycled waste paper through freeze-drying processes [9–12].
The cellulose aerogels have the low thermal conductivity (0.03–0.04 W/m·K) and less toxic emissions
and require less harmful chemicals during the fabrication [9–12]. The cellulose aerogels has the lowest
density of 0.04 g/cm3 , which is lighter than other common insulation materials, and perform similar
insulation results [10,12].
So this communication focuses on using cellulose aerogel to design an insulated jacket for the
military canteens to prolong ice slurry to active military personnel in training or operation. However,
the cellulose aerogels have low tensile strength, and their structures can be damaged easily upon rough
handling [9–12]. It is thus necessary to sandwich the cellulose aerogels between two protective layers
so that the insulated jacket can be more durable. The commercial synthetic fabrics and 10-cm thick
cellulose aerogels are chosen. It is clear that increasing the thickness can increase the thermal resistance
of the insulated jacket [10,12]. However, the thick insulated jacket has negative implications on its
weight and user-friendliness. The final jacket design is aimed to meet following points: (i) The design
of the insulated jacket can conform well to the contours of the military canteens, (ii) The cellulose
aerogel needs to be properly fitted and secured within the two protective layers to prevent its structure
damage, (iii) The bottle must be inserted and removed from the jacket easily, and (iv) Heat transfer
should be minimized and cannot counter the insulating effects of the cellulose aerogel. The heat
insulation performance of the developed insulated jacket is also compared with commercial FLOE
sport bottles and vacuum flask bottles in this work.

2. Results
From Figure 1 below, the vacuum flask yields the best thermal insulating results with the least
temperature increase after 4 h, followed by the military canteen that is wrapped by the insulated jacket.
The temperature of the content inside both bottles is approx. 0.1–0.2 ◦ C after 4 h, which proves that
they can maintain the ice slurry inside chilled. The insulation performance of the FLOE bottle comes
next whereby the significant temperature rise is observed after 1 h. The military canteen without the
insulated jacket shows a significant increase in temperature after 30 min, the worst heat insulation
performance. The FLOE bottle and the military canteen without the insulated jacket cannot keep the
ice slurry inside after 3 h and 1 h, respectively. Despite having the best result, the vacuum flask posed
some concerns in terms of heavier weight load and higher costs when compared with the other 3 in
Appendix A Table A1 Hence it is not ideal to replace the current military canteens that are used by the
soldiers with the vacuum flask bottles. From the Figure 1 and the Appendix A, it is concluded that the
thermal jacket using the cellulose aerogels is designed successfully and that the simple but effective
engineering solution for the heat insulation of the military canteens is validated.
Fluids 2017, 2, 64 3 of 8
Fluids 2017, 2, 64 3 of 8

Figure 1.
Figure 1. Heat
Heat insulation
insulation performance
performance of
of various
various insulated
insulatedbottles
bottlesduring
during44h
h testing.

3. Discussion
3. Discussion

3.1. Advantages of the Developed Thermal

3.1. Thermal Jacket
Jacket
This developed
This developed insulated jacket can address the issues of previous thermal jacket designs.
Assembling the design
Assembling design from
from multiple
multiple pieces ensures that the insulated insulated jacket can fit very very well
well the
the
complicated contours
complicated contoursof ofthe
thebottle.
bottle.The
Theaerogel
aerogelisistightly
tightlysecured
secured inin place
place between
between twotwo fabric
fabric layers
layers to
to resolve
resolve thethe collapsing.
collapsing. It It
is is much
much easiertotoinsert
easier insertororremove
removethe themilitary
militarycanteen,
canteen,as asititmerely
merely needs
needs
to be
to be pulled
pulled outout oror pushed
pushed in in before
before closing
closing the the zipper
zipper of of the
the insulated
insulated jacket.
jacket. The
The zipper
zipper length
length isis
optimized to
optimized to reduce
reduce the heat transfer from the zipper. zipper. The insulated jacket also uses environmentally
friendly cellulose
friendly cellulose fibers from from recycled
recycled paper
paper waste.
waste. When considering the high amounts of paper paper
waste that
waste that is
is generated
generated annually,
annually, recycling
recycling helpshelps to to reduce
reduce material
material wastage
wastage and and lower
lower greenhouse
greenhouse
emissions. This green
emissions. green initiative
initiative can
can also
also reflect
reflect positively
positively on on social
social responsibility.
responsibility.
The mass
The mass production
production cost is is estimated
estimated in the the Appendix
Appendix A A Table
Table A2.
A2. Figure 2 showsshows thethe cost
cost
estimation and the ice
estimation ice slurry
slurry temperature
temperature after after 44 hh ofof four
four different
different bottles.
bottles. It is evident
evident that thethe
insulated military canteen has the preferred combination
insulated combination of the low price price and
and the
the excellent
excellent heat
heat
insulation performance.
insulation performance. Due Due to the ultra-lightweight cellulose aerogel aerogel that is used as the central central layer,
layer,
the total
the totalweight
weightof ofthe
theinsulated
insulatedjacket
jacketisis2.52.5 times
times and and
1.41.4
timetime lighter
lighter thanthan
thatthat of the
of the vacuum
vacuum flaskflask
the
the FLOE
FLOE bottles,
bottles, respectively.
respectively. Theunladed
The total total unladed
weight weight of the insulated
of the insulated jacket andjacket and thecanteen
the military militaryis
canteen is 360 g, of which 200 g is the weight of the designed jacket. In comparison,
360 g, of which 200 g is the weight of the designed jacket. In comparison, the vacuum flask with the the vacuum flask
with the
same same and
capacity capacity
no ice and no ice
slurry slurry900g,
weighs weighs 900g,
while twowhile
FLOE two FLOEwith
bottles bottles
500 with 500 mL capacity
mL capacity for each
for each500
weighs weighs 500 g in total.
g in total.
Fluids 2017, 2, 64 4 of 8
Fluids 2017, 2, 64 4 of 8

Figure 2.
Figure 2. Comparison
Comparison of of the
the cost
cost and
and heat
heat insulation
insulation performance
performance after
after 44 hh of
of various
various bottles
bottles having
having
the same
the same 1-L
1-liter capacity.
capacity.

3.2. Limitations
3.2. Limitations of
of Thermal
Thermal Jacket
Jacket Design
Design
The insulated
The insulated military
military canteen
canteen maymay be be considered
considered bulky
bulky byby few
few end-users
end-users because
because the
the insulated
insulated
jacket adds
jacket adds approx.
approx. 33 cm cm toto the
the thickness
thickness of of the
the military
military canteen.
canteen. ThisThis is
is largely
largely due
due to
to the
the 1.5
1.5 cm
cm
thick aerogel layer and 0.3 cm neoprene outer layer in the jacket design. Further
thick aerogel layer and 0.3 cm neoprene outer layer in the jacket design. Further design improvement design improvement
may reduce
may reduce more
more the the thickness
thickness of of the
the jacket
jacket and
and improve
improve thethe insulated
insulated military
military canteen
canteen ergonomics.
ergonomics.
Currently we
Currently we cannot
cannot determine
determine the the accurate
accurate technical
technical service
service life
life of
of the
the insulated
insulated military
military canteen.
canteen.
So cyclic fatigue testing, pierce resistance, abrasion resistance, tear resistance,
So cyclic fatigue testing, pierce resistance, abrasion resistance, tear resistance, and ultraviolet (UV)and ultraviolet (UV)
resistance tests
resistance testsare
aredesired
desiredin inthe
thefuture
futurework.
work.
Finally, there is no capacity for mass
Finally, there is no capacity for mass laboratory laboratoryproduction
productionof ofthe
thecellulose
cellulose aerogels
aerogels used
used inin this
this
insulated jacket. In this project, the cellulose aerogels were laboriously produced
insulated jacket. In this project, the cellulose aerogels were laboriously produced in a small lab scale.in a small lab scale.
The electrical
The electrical overheads
overheads contribute
contribute to to 60%
60%of ofthe
thetotal
totalcost
costininthe
theAppendix
Appendix AATable A2,
Table which
A2, which is an
is
incredibly high proportion for a mass manufactured product. Hence a
an incredibly high proportion for a mass manufactured product. Hence a better aerogel production better aerogel production
method must
method must bebe found
found forforthe
themass
massproduction
productionto tobe
befeasible.
feasible.

4. Materials
4. Materials and
and Methods
Methods

4.1.
4.1. Fabrication
Fabrication of
of Cellulose
Cellulose Aerogels
Aerogels
12
12 gg of
of cellulose
cellulose fibers
fibers is
is added
added into
into 1.2
1.2 LL of
of the
the deionized
deionized (DI)
(DI) water,
water, stirred
stirred thoroughly
thoroughly and
and
placed
placedininanan ultrasonic
ultrasonic processor for 15
processor min
for 15atmin
maximum power. After
at maximum power.15 min,
Afterthe15obtained
min, thesuspension
obtained
is removed is
suspension from
removedthe ultrasonic processor processor
from the ultrasonic to cool down to cooltodown
roomtotemperature using ausing
room temperature water bath.
a water
Kymene cross-linker
bath. Kymene is added
cross-linker to the
is added tomixture and and
the mixture it isitsubjected to additional
is subjected to additional 5×5 ×33min
mincycles
cycles of
of
sonication. After the completed sonication process, the mixture is poured into
sonication. After the completed sonication process, the mixture is poured into the mould and is the mould and is placed
in the freezer
placed in theovernight. The next step
freezer overnight. The isnext
to place
step the sample
is to placeinthethesample
freeze dryer
in theatfreeze
a temperature
dryer atofa
− ◦
91 C to obtain the °C
cellulose aerogel. After the aerogel.
freeze-drying
temperature of −91 to obtain the cellulose After process, the aerogelprocess,
the freeze-drying sample is placed
the in
aerogel
the oven for the cross-linking process. After 3 h at 120 ◦ C, the aerogel sample can achieve its finalized
sample is placed in the oven for the cross-linking process. After 3 h at 120 °C, the aerogel sample can
thickness
achieve itsand shape as
finalized seen in and
thickness Figure 3b. Mode
shape as seendetails of the
in Figure 3b.morphology
Mode details and
of the
the properties
morphology of and
the
cellulose aerogel
the properties of can
the be found aerogel
cellulose on our previous works
can be found on[9–12].
our previous works [9–12].
Fluids
Fluids 2017,
2017, 2,
2, 64
64 55 of
of 88

4.2. Design of Sandwich Structures

4.2. Design of Sandwich Structures
For the internal layer, Nylon in Figure 3a is chosen over the others due to the lowest thermal
For the internal
conductivity layer,
value high Nylon inlow
durability, Figure
cost, 3a is chosen
high over and
availability the others
smoothdue to the
texture lowest
[13]. thermal
Heavy-duty
conductivity
fabric value high
of Neoprene, durability,
as seen in Figurelow
3c,cost, high availability
is chosen andlayer
as the external smooth texture
of the [13].jacket
thermal Heavy-duty
due to
fabric
the lowofthermal
Neoprene, as seen in excellent
conductivity, Figure 3c,durability,
is chosen mostly
as the external
weatherlayer
proof,ofhigh
the thermal
abrasionjacket due
and tear
to the low[14].
resistance thermal
Moreconductivity,
details of theexcellent durability,
layer material mostlycan
properties weather proof,
be found in high abrasion and
the Appendix tear
A Table
resistance
A3. Figure[14]. More details
3d shows of the layer
the proposed material
sandwich properties
layer can be found
using different in theforming
materials AppendixtheAinsulated
Table A3.
Figure 3d shows the proposed sandwich layer using different materials forming the insulated jacket.
jacket.

Figure 3. Materials of (a) nylon, (b) cellulose aerogel, (c) neoprene are used for the insulated jacket
Figure 3. Materials of (a) nylon, (b) cellulose aerogel, (c) neoprene are used for the insulated jacket
design, and (d) the sandwich structure consists of Neoprene as the outmost layer, the cellulose aerogel
design, and (d) the sandwich structure consists of Neoprene as the outmost layer, the cellulose aerogel
within and Nylon as the innermost layer.
within and Nylon as the innermost layer.

4.3. Prototype
4.3. Prototype Fabrication
Fabrication Process
Process of
of the
the Thermal
Thermal Jacket
Jacket
The prototype
The prototype fabrication
fabrication has
has the
the following
following steps:
steps: (i)
(i) Cutting
Cutting thethe inner
inner andand outer
outer fabric
fabric into
into
specifically-shaped panels in Figure 4a, (ii) Sewing the inner fabric pieces together
specifically-shaped panels in Figure 4a, (ii) Sewing the inner fabric pieces together to form an inner to form an inner
jacket, (iii)
jacket, (iii) Wrapping
Wrapping the the aerogel
aerogel securely
securely around
around the the inner
inner jacket,
jacket, (iv)
(iv) Sewing
Sewing the the outer
outer fabric
fabric pieces
pieces
and zipper
and zipper together
together over
over the
the aerogel
aerogel layer
layer and
and with
with the
the inner
inner jacket,
jacket, and
and (v)
(v) Sewing
Sewing thethe collar
collar onto
onto
the neck of the assembly to complete the product. Straight stitch should not be
the neck of the assembly to complete the product. Straight stitch should not be applied as the straight applied as the straight
stitch can
stitch can tear
tear the
the fabric
fabric easily
easily because
because Neoprene
Neoprene and and Nylon
Nylon areare stretchable.
stretchable. Hence,
Hence, the
the zig-zag
zig-zag stitch
stitch
method is
method is preferred.
preferred. The
The zipper
zipper isis applied
applied toto allow
allow the
the military
military canteen
canteen to to be
be inserted
inserted and
and removed
removed
easily from the insulated jacket. The collar is used to reinforce the neck area.
easily from the insulated jacket. The collar is used to reinforce the neck area. The components come The components come
together to
together to form
form aa final
final thermal
thermal jacket
jacket are
are shown
shown in in Figure
Figure 4b.4b.
Fluids 2017, 2, 64 6 of 8
Fluids 2017, 2, 64 6 of 8

(a) (b)
Figure
Figure4.4.(a)
(a)Sketch
Sketchofofthe
theinsulated
insulatedjacket
jacketand
and(b)
(b)final
finalinsulated
insulatedjacket
jacketon
onthe
themilitary
militarycanteen.
canteen.

4.4. Characterization
4.4. Characterization
The heat insulation test under static condition was conducted in a laboratory with an ambient
The heat insulation test under static condition was conducted in a laboratory with an ambient
temperature of 25 °C for 4 h. The content of the bottle is ice slurry, which comprises ⅓ water and ⅔
temperature of 25 ◦ C for 4 h. The content of the bottle is ice slurry, which comprises 1/3 water and 2/3
crushed ice and the temperature of the content of the bottle is recorded every 30 min. Four bottles
crushed ice and the temperature of the content of the bottle is recorded every 30 min. Four bottles
including the military canteen without the insulated jacket, the military canteen wrapped with the
including the military canteen without the insulated jacket, the military canteen wrapped with the
insulated jacket, the commercial FLOE bottle and the vacuum flask bottle were used in the
insulated jacket, the commercial FLOE bottle and the vacuum flask bottle were used in the experiments
experiments for comparison.
for comparison.
Water contact angle measurements are carried out on a VCA Optima goniometer (AST Products
Water contact angle measurements are carried out on a VCA Optima goniometer (AST Products Inc.,
Inc., Billerica, MA, USA) to evaluate the water repellence of the methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS)-
Billerica, MA, USA) to evaluate the water repellence of the methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS)-coated
coated aerogels. During the test, water drops of 0.5 μL were controlled by the syringe system of the
aerogels. During the test, water drops of 0.5 µL were controlled by the syringe system of the tester
tester and were dispensed drop by drop onto the surface of the samples. The contact angle values
and were dispensed drop by drop onto the surface of the samples. The contact angle values were
were calculated using the contact angle meter software, which analyses the droplet shape in the
calculated using the contact angle meter software, which analyses the droplet shape in the image.
image. For each sample, measurements were repeated at several different positions, and the contact
For each sample, measurements were repeated at several different positions, and the contact angle
angle was ultimately determined by averaging these contact angle values from the various
was ultimately determined by averaging these contact angle values from the various measurements.
measurements. In order to verify the moisture absorbency for the shortlisted fabrics, the VCA Optima
In order to verify the moisture absorbency for the shortlisted fabrics, the VCA Optima was used to
was used to measure the contact angle of each fabric to determine which material will be most
measure the contact angle of each fabric to determine which material will be most suitable for the shell
suitable for the shell and lining of the product.
and lining of the product.
The C-Therm TCi Thermal Conductivity Analyser (C-Therm Technologies Ltd., Fredericton, NB,
The C-Therm TCi Thermal Conductivity Analyser (C-Therm Technologies Ltd., Fredericton, NB,
Canada) was used for this work. It employs the Modified Transient Plane Source (MTPS) technique,
Canada) was used for this work. It employs the Modified Transient Plane Source (MTPS) technique,
which uses a one-sided interfacial heat reflectance sensor to apply a momentary constant heat source
which uses a one-sided interfacial heat reflectance sensor to apply a momentary constant heat source
to the specimen and measure the K value from the rate of increase in the sensor voltage. The results
to the specimen and measure the K value from the rate of increase in the sensor voltage. The results
achieved by the MTPS method are similar in accuracy to the traditional guarded hot plate apparatus.
achieved by the MTPS method are similar in accuracy to the traditional guarded hot plate apparatus.
5.5.Conclusions
Conclusions
After
Afterfabricating
fabricatingprototypes
prototypesand andanalyzing
analyzingthetheflaws
flawsof ofour
ourdesign,
design,thethecost-effective
cost-effectiveinsulated
insulated
jacket
jacket with the effective heat insulation performance is developed successfullyfor
with the effective heat insulation performance is developed successfully formass
massproduction.
production.
Interestingly,
Interestingly, the
the military
military canteen
canteen wrapped
wrapped with
with the
the cellulose
cellulose aerogel
aerogel can
can match
match the
the insulation
insulation
performance
performance of the vacuum flask bottles after 4 h, which is the average duration of an outfield
of the vacuum flask bottles after 4 h, which is the average duration of an outfield
exercise. The materials
exercise. The materialschosen
chosen in this
in this workwork can withstand
can withstand the harshthe harsh conditions
conditions of a jungle
of a jungle environment.
environment. Currently,
Currently, soldiers soldiers
have been have been
equipped equipped
three-liter three-literwater
polyethylene polyethylene
pouches.water pouches.jacket
The insulated The
insulated
developed jacket developed
in this work caninbethis work
used for can be used
the water for the
pouch so water pouch so
that soldiers maythat soldiers
carry up tomay
fourcarry
liters
up
of ice slurry during outfield operations instead of one liter of the insulated military canteen.military
to four liters of ice slurry during outfield operations instead of one liter of the insulated Finally,
canteen. Finally, the design concept of the insulated military canteen may be extended to other
commercial bottles as well.
 Fluids 2017, 2, 64 7 of 8

the design concept of the insulated military canteen may be extended to other commercial bottles
Fluids
Fluids 2017,2017, 2, 64 7 of 8
Fluids 2017, 2,
as well. 2, 64
64 77 of
of 88

Acknowledgments:
Acknowledgments: The authors would liketolike to thank C-265-000-049-001 FB Funding and
DSODSO National
Acknowledgments:The
Acknowledgments: Theauthors
The authors would
would
authors would like
like to
to thank
thank
thank C-265-000-049-001
C-265-000-049-001
C-265-000-049-001 FB
FB Funding
Funding
FB Funding and DSO National
andNational
and DSO National
Laboratory
Laboratory
Laboratory for for
for their
for their research
Laboratory their research
research support.
research support.
theirsupport. support.
Author
Author
Author
Author Contributions:
Contributions:
Contributions:
Contributions: X.Z.C.,
X.Z.C.,
X.Z.C.,
X.Z.C., T.K.T.K.
and
T.K.
T.K. and
and
and W.Z.L.
W.Z.L.
W.Z.L.
W.Z.L. conceived
conceived and
conceived
conceived and and
and designed
designed the
designed
designed the
thethe experiments;
experiments;
experiments;
experiments; K.H.W.
K.H.W. and
K.H.W.
K.H.W. and N.G.N.
N.G.N.
andand N.G.N.
N.G.N.
performed
performed
performed the the
the experiments;
experiments;
experiments; H.M.D.
H.M.D.
H.M.D. and and
and W.Z.L.
W.Z.L.
W.Z.L. analyzed
analyzed
analyzed the the
the data;
data;
data; H.J.L.,
H.J.L.,
H.J.L., K.S.C.
K.S.C.
K.S.C. and and
and A.H.L.
A.H.L.
A.H.L.
performed the experiments; H.M.D. and W.Z.L. analyzed the data; H.J.L., K.S.C. and A.H.L. contributed contributed
contributed
contributed
reagents/materials/analysis
reagents/materials/analysis
reagents/materials/analysis tools;
tools;
tools; H.M.D
H.M.DH.M.D wrote
wrote
wrote the the
the paper.
paper.
reagents/materials/analysis tools; H.M.D wrote the paper.
paper.
Conflicts of of
Conflicts Interest: The authors
Interest: declare nono
conflict ofof
interest.
Conflicts
Conflicts of
of Interest:
Interest: TheThe
The authors
authors
authors declare
declare
declare no conflict
no conflict
conflict of interest.
of interest.
interest.
Appendix
AppendixA
Appendix
Appendix A A
A

Table
Table A1.
Table
Table A1.
A1.
A1. Property
Property
Property
Property comparison
comparison of
comparison
comparison ofvarious
of various
of various
various bottles.
bottles.
bottles.
bottles.
Military Canteen
[4] [4] Floe Bottle
[6] [6] Vacuum
Vacuum Flask
Military
Military
Military
Canteen
Canteen
Canteen
[4]
[4]
Floe
Floe Bottle
FloeBottle
Bottle[6]
[6] Vacuum Flask
Flask
Vacuum [5] [5]
[5]
Flask [5]

Parameters
Parameters
Parameters

Thermal
Thermal conductivity, W/m·K 0.33 0.14 -- --
Thermal conductivity,
conductivity,
conductivity, W/m·K
W/m·K
W/m ·K 0.33
0.33 0.14
0.14
0.14
Cost,
Cost,
Cost, S$ S$
S$ $1.52
$1.52$1.52 $98.00
$98.00
$98.00
$98.00 $50.00
$50.00
$50.00
$50.00
Capacity,
Capacity,
Capacity,
Capacity, LL L 1.0 1.0
1.0 1.0 1.0
1.0
1.0 1.0 1.0
1.0 1.0
Weight,
Weight,
Weight, g g
Weight, gg 160 160
160 500500
500
500 900
900 900
900

Table
Table A2.
Table
Table A2.
A2.
A2. Estimated
Estimated cost
Estimated
Estimated cost
of
cost
cost ofmanufacturing
of of manufacturing
manufacturing
manufacturing the theinsulated
insulated
insulated
thethe
insulated jacket.
jacket.
jacket.
jacket.

S/NS/N
S/N Items
ItemsItems UnitUnit
Unit Cost,
Cost,
Cost, S$ S$
S$ Quantity
Quantity
Quantity Cost,
Cost,
Cost, S$ S$
S$
S/N
11 1 Military Items
Canteen Bottle Unit Cost, S$
S$1.52/bottle Quantity
11 1
Cost, S$
Military
Military Canteen
Canteen Bottle
Bottle S$1.52/bottle
S$1.52/bottle 1.521.52
1.52
22 21 Polyester
Military
Polyester
Polyester FabricBottle
Canteen
Fabric
Fabric S$1.40/m
S$1.52/bottle
S$1.40/m
S$1.40/m
22
2
1 0.100
0.100
0.100 1.520.14
0.14
0.14
2
33 32 Recycled
Recycled
RecycledPolyesterCellulose
Cellulose
CelluloseFabric S$4.36/kg
S$1.40/m
S$4.36/kg
S$4.36/kg 0.100
0.0287
0.02870.0287 0.140.13
0.13
0.13
44 43 Kymene
Recycled
Kymene
Kymene Cellulose S$1.05/kg
S$4.36/kg
S$1.05/kg
S$1.05/kg 0.0287
0.0057
0.00570.0057 0.010.01
0.13
0.01
55 54 MTMS
MTMS
Kymene
MTMS S$1.05/kg
S$2.24/kg
S$2.24/kg
S$2.24/kg
0.0057
0.143
0.143 0.143 0.01
0.320.32
0.32
66 65 Zipper
Zipper
MTMS
Zipper S$2.24/kg
S$0.46/m
S$0.46/m
S$0.46/m
0.143
0.100
0.100 0.100 0.32
0.050.05
0.05
76 Neoprene Zipper
(3-mm thickness) S$0.46/m
S$3.02/m 2 0.1000.100 0.050.30
77 Neoprene (3-mm thickness) S$3.02/m 2 0.100 0.30
87 Neoprene (3-mm
Neoprene thickness)
(3-mm
Manpower thickness) S$3.02/m2 2
S$3.02/m
S$2.93/h
0.100
0.100 0.30
0.301.47
88
8
Manpower
Manpower
Manpower
S$2.93/h
S$2.93/h
S$2.93/h 0.5 0.5
0.5
0.5
1.47
1.47
1.476.21
99 9 Electricity
Electricity
Electricity S$0.13/kWh
S$0.13/kWh
S$0.13/kWh 47.847.8
47.8 6.21
6.21
9 Electricity S$0.13/kWh 47.8 6.21
10 10 Water S$0.73/m 0.0029 0.05
3
10 Water
Water S$0.73/m
S$0.73/m
33 0.0029
0.0029 0.05
0.05
10 Water S$0.73/m3 0.0029 0.05
TotalTotal
Total cost cost estimation
cost estimation
estimation S$10.14
S$10.14
S$10.14
Total cost estimation S$10.14
Table
Table
Table A3. A3. Insulating
A3. Insulating
Insulating Material
Material
Material Selection.
Selection.
Selection.
Table A3. Insulating Material Selection.
Material
Material
Material Selection
Selection
Selection Criteria Cellulose
Criteria
Criteria Cellulose
Cellulose Aerogel
Aerogel
Aerogel [9–12]Neoprene
[9–12]
[9–12] Neoprene
Neoprene Fabric
Fabric
Fabric [14][14] Nylon
[14] Nylon
Nylon Fabric
Fabric Fabric
[13] [13]
[13]
Thermal
Thermal
Thermal conductivity
conductivity
conductivity (W/m·K)
(W/m·K)
(W/m·K) 0.03 0.03
0.03Aerogel [9–12] 0.047 0.047
0.047Fabric [14] 0.046 0.046
Material Selection Criteria Cellulose Neoprene Nylon0.046
Fabric [13]
Density
Density
Density (g/cm
(g/cm(g/cm
33) [6]3) [6]
) [6] 0.04
0.04 0.04 -- - -- -
Thermal conductivity (W/m·K) 0.03 0.047 0.046
Durability
Durability
Durability 3 Fair Fair
Fair0.04 Excellent
Excellent
Excellent Good
Good Good
Density (g/cm ) [6] - -
Stretchability
Stretchability
Stretchability Fair Fair
FairFair Excellent
Excellent
Excellent Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Durability Excellent Good
Stretchability Yes
Yes Yes
but
but but
no
no noFair
availability
availability
availability in
in in Yes
Yes Yes
and
and and availability Yes
availability
Excellent
availability Yes Yes
and
and and availability
availability
Excellent
availability
LowLow
Low Cost Cost
Cost and and availability
and availability
availability Yesthe
but the
no
market
the marketmarket
availability in Yes
inandin
the the market
availability
market
in the market in Yes
in in
and
the the market
availability
market
in the market
Low Cost and availability
the market the market in the market
References
References
References
1.References
1. 1.HeatHeat Stroke:
Stroke: Symptoms
Symptoms and and Treatment.
Treatment. Available
Available online:
online: https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/heat-
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/heat-
Heat Stroke: Symptoms and Treatment. Available online: https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/heat-
1. stroke-symptoms-and-treatment#1
stroke-symptoms-and-treatment#1
stroke-symptoms-and-treatment#1
Heat Stroke: Symptoms and Treatment. (accessed
(accessed
(accessed on 11on
on
Available 1online:
November
November
November 2017).
2017).
2017).
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/heat-
2. 2.Lee, Lee,
J.K.W.;J.K.W.; Kennefick,
J.K.W.; Kennefick,
Kennefick, R.W.; R.W.; Cheuvront,
R.W.; Cheuvront, S.N. S.N.
S.N. NovelNovel cooling strategies for military training
andand operations.
2. Lee, stroke-symptoms-and-treatment#1 Cheuvront, (accessed on 1cooling
Novel cooling
Novemberstrategies
2017).for
strategies for military
military training
training and operations.
operations.
J. Strength
J.J. Strength
Strength Cond. Cond.
Cond. Res. Res. 2015,
Res. 2015,
2015, 29, 29, S77–S81,
29, S77–S81, doi:10.1519/JSC.0000000000001086.
S77–S81, doi:10.1519/JSC.0000000000001086.
doi:10.1519/JSC.0000000000001086.
3. 3.Dugas,
3. Dugas, Dugas, J. slurry
J.J. Ice
Ice Ice slurry
slurry ingestion
ingestion
ingestion increases
increases
increases running
running
running timetime
time in in the
in the
the heat.heat.
heat. Clin.Clin.
Clin. J. Sport
J.J. Sport
Sport Med.Med.
Med. 2011,
2011,
2011, 21, 21, 541–542,
21, 541–542,
541–542,
doi:10.1097/01.jsm.0000407930.13102.42.
doi:10.1097/01.jsm.0000407930.13102.42.
doi:10.1097/01.jsm.0000407930.13102.42.
Fluids 2017, 2, 64 8 of 8

2. Lee, J.K.W.; Kennefick, R.W.; Cheuvront, S.N. Novel cooling strategies for military training and operations.
J. Strength Cond. Res. 2015, 29, S77–S81. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
3. Dugas, J. Ice slurry ingestion increases running time in the heat. Clin. J. Sport Med. 2011, 21, 541–542. [CrossRef]
[PubMed]
4. Seah, K.H. Fundamental Principles of Manufacturing, 1st ed.; Cobee Publishing House: Singapore, 2015;
ISBN 9789810959050.
5. Best Insulated Water Bottles—Our Top Picks, Hydration Anywhere. Available online: https://hydrationanywhere.
com/best-insulated-water-bottle-our-top-picks/ (accessed on 1 November 2017).
6. Floe Bottle. Available online: https://www.floebottle.com/ (accessed on 1 November 2017).
7. Beer Koozies Do Help Keep Your Drink Cold—But Not The Way You Think They Do. Available online: http://
www.ibtimes.com/beer-koozies-do-help-keep-your-drink-cold-not-way-you-think-they-do-1220253 (accessed
on 1 November 2017).
8. Five Most Common Thermal Insulation Materials. Available online: https://www.thermaxxjackets.com/5-
most-common-thermal-insulation-materials/ (accessed on 1 November 2017).
9. Feng, J.; Nguyen, S.T.; Fan, Z.; Duong, H.M. Advanced fabrication and oil absorption properties of
super-hydrophobic recycled cellulose aerogels. Chem. Eng. J. 2015, 270, 168–175. [CrossRef]
10. Duong, H.M.; Nguyen, S.T. Nano and Biotech Based Materials for Energy Building Efficiency; Springer
International Publishing: Cham, Switzerland, 2016; pp. 411–427, ISBN 978-3-319-27505-5.
11. Nguyen, S.T.; Feng, J.; Le, N.; Le, A.T.; Hoang, N.; Duong, H.M. Cellulose aerogel from paper waste for
crude oil spill cleaning. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2013, 52, 18386–18391. [CrossRef]
12. Nguyen, S.T.; Duong, H.M.; Tan, V.B.C.; Ng, S.K.; Wong, J.P.W.; Feng, J. Advanced thermal insulation and
absorption properties of recycled cellulose aerogels. Colloids Surf. A Physicochem. Eng. Asp. 2014, 445,
128–134. [CrossRef]
13. Nylon vs. Polyester. Available online: http://www.diffen.com/difference/Nylon_vs_Polyester (accessed on
1 November 2017).
14. Neoprene Rubber Polymer. Available online: http://www.warco.com/polymer/neoprene/ (accessed on
1 November 2017).

© 2017 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access
article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution
(CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).