A student from Nottingham Trent University has developed a wrist strap that can keep people cool during heatwaves.
The wrist strap - developed by William Walter - works by cooling a person's blood flow.
The BA Product Design graduate has called the prototype the "Climati" and it could support older people in rising temperatures, as well as help athletes in difficult conditions.
William, 22, originally from Studley, near Birmingham, said: "Many people can panic in the heat and feel overwhelmed on hot days.
"Heatwaves particularly affect young children, older people and those in stressful working environments.
"But by providing an on-going cooling sensation, this stress can be alleviated to help people feel better."
The technology uses a Peltier device - a device that deposits heat to allow cooling to take place - and a heat sink - which are usually found in computers - to target pulse points in a person's wrist that makes the wearer feel a cooling sensation.
The developer aimed to make a person feel cooler and relaxed psychologically, rather than reduce their body temperature which homeostasis naturally regulates.
William added: "With the surge of wearable technology today, this is an effective and real way of supporting people who may already be wearing things like smart watches."
Despite primarily being a wrist strap, the device can also be used on other pulse points on the body, such as at the back of the neck.
It is also thought that the device can one day be self-sufficient by charging the battery inside the device by converting heat flux from the body into usable energy.
The device can cool down by nearly 10 degrees Celsius in a matter of seconds, but even a 2 degree fall in temperature can provide cooling sensations and comfort for the wearer.
It also has the advantage that it would not warm to room temperature, like a cold flannel or ice pack, as the Climati can stay at a constant temperature.
James Dale, head of Product Design at Nottingham Trent University, said: "Will has considered the needs of people in the future following predictions of rising global temperatures.
"His working prototype has proved the concept and he has enjoyed encouraging feedback from people who believe this technology could help them."
