Project Comfort
Stay Warm and Relaxed Anywhere
Savannah Reynold, Avery Blake, and Quincy Dean
Mission to Provide Comfort
Our Story
For our senior year STEM engineering class, we were told to create a unique Capstone Project that somehow benefited people and was different from what is already being sold. We wanted our Capstone Project to be something personal to us, so we started thinking about our own problems. After a ton of brainstorming, we decided we wanted to do something that would help with cramps and aching, since this is something we all commonly experience as both women and athletes. We decided on making a heating pad that you don't have to plug into the wall. This is beneficial so you can use it while on the go and is easily portable.
At Project Comfort, we specialize in creating portable, cordless, and comfortable wireless heating pads. Our innovative design focuses on providing pain relief for active individuals, athletes, and women during menstrual cramps. Safety, reliability, and user-centered design are the core principles guiding our products. We are dedicated to enhancing your well-being and bringing warmth and comfort into your daily life.
Prototyping
To perfect the basics of our wireless heating pad, there was a lot of trial and error in order to figure out what works and what does not.
In the testing phase of our wireless heating pad project, we set out to answer two key questions: Which battery type delivers the most efficient and long-lasting power? And how evenly does the pad distribute heat across its surface? To find out, we ran multiple experiments using different battery setups and measured temperature performance over time. We also tested the heat distribution by placing sensors at different points on the pad to track how consistent the heat was. These tests helped us choose the best battery and identify design changes to improve heat spread—critical steps in making our heating pad both reliable and comfortable for users.
We ran two main tests to better understand and improve our heating pad’s performance:
1. Battery Efficiency Test:
We tested three different battery types—3.7V Li-ion, 9V standard, and 7.4V rechargeable—to see which one could power the heating pad the longest while keeping a consistent heat. For each battery, we ran three trials. We used a thermometer to measure the surface temperature every minute until the battery died. The 7.4V battery lasted the longest and maintained the most stable heat, making it our best option.
2. Heat Distribution Test:
To see how evenly the pad heated up, we placed five thermistors on the surface: one at the center and one at each corner. We powered the pad and tracked the temperature at each point over a 10-minute period, repeating the process three times. The center heated up the most, while the edges were slightly cooler. This showed us that we need to improve the carbon fiber layout for more even heat distribution.
Our
Design
After countless hours of battery testing, we were finally able to find a design that worked for us!!
It consists of nichrome wire, lithium-ion battery (3.7 volts), an insulating layer, alligator clamps, and a toggle switch.