Anusha Ravishankar
Cool Feet
Epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS) is the mild form of Epidermolysis bullosa. The symptoms include rapid blister forming on hands and feet, or generally distributed, even mild internal blistering, although no scarring occurs, nail disformations and thickened calluses. The friction and force on the skin at the feet and hands causes blisters to form, preventing the patients to perform daily activities.
The Cool Feet project was brought to life, in order to research the design of a cooling shoe to help reduce the development of blisters. The result is a theoretical shoe model consisting of a thermoelectric cooler and heat sink in combination with different materials.
EXPERTISE:
Creativity & Aesthetics
User & Society
Design Research
26/02/2021 - 10/06/2021
ROLE:
User Research
User Interaction design
Physics
User Experience design
Cool Feet talks about two types of cooling methods, namely, active and passive cooling systems, a thought out process about ventilation, and of materials, to ease the symptoms as utmost as possible. As of today there is no cure for the disease, ,however, by keeping the conditions optimal, the aggravation of blisters can be prevented for patients with EBS. There are four factors the cause blistering to happen more rapidly: warm weather and therefore a high temperature in the shoe, a humid climate in the shoe, friction and force. Due to the following reasons, the necessary shoe would need to abide by the following conditions :
Achieved by collaboration with UMCG expert ~ EBS center
Validated and informed through an interview with an orthopedic shoemaker.
Collaboration with EBS patients ~ approximately 55 people with EBS
Scientific research based on the cooling methods, materials based on temperature, flexibility, transport and moisture
1. The temperature inside the shoe must be less than 15 degrees Celsius. At such an optimal temperature, it cools the feet down and alleviates the conditions of the blisters as they come up, preferably adjustable.
2. The humidity inside the shoe should be reduced to zero as much as possible, requiring the materials to be moisture-resistant
3. The friction inside the shoe should be as low as possible, hence the materials should have a low friction coefficient as well as should be of lightweight materials.
Poster explaining the architecture of the shoe
