Solar-powered air-con, freeze-tech and ‘fan-jakketos’ among innovative cooling gadgets on the market

A woman holding her hair up while her friend points a handheld fan towards her at Universal Studios Singapore.

Published Sep 27, 2026, 12:00 PM

Updated Sep 27, 2026, 12:00 PM

Innovative cooling gadgets like Singapore's Ecoline Solar air-conditioner and portable air coolers help reduce energy use and provide targeted cooling amid rising temperatures.

Cooling wear such as Japan's Freeze Tech apparel cools the body by up to 9°C and is being trialled by those who work outdoors in Singapore.

Other popular devices include clip-on fans, fan jackets and cooling pillows.

SINGAPORE – The search for innovative cooling solutions is hotting up, as countries grapple with rising temperatures caused by climate change and the ongoing El Nino weather phenomenon.

While people tend to turn to air-conditioners for reprieve, the UN had in a recent meeting in Singapore urged representatives from around 60 countries to look to alternative and greener cooling strategies instead.

This is because conventional air-conditioning is energy-guzzling and relies on refrigerants, some of which are powerful greenhouse gases.

In an interview with The Straits Times held on the sidelines of the meeting, the United Nations Environment Programme’s climate change division director Martin Krause said the scarcity of funding is the biggest challenge to scale up more innovative measures.

According to a 2024 report by UNEP and the International Finance Corporation, the market for cooling solutions in developing economies is expected to grow from around US$300 billion (S$383 billion) to at least US$600 billion, per year by 2050 .

The Straits Times highlights some cooling gadgets already available on the market.

Ecoline Solar air-conditioner

Mr Colin Chia, co-founder of Ecoline Solar, with the solar thermal air-conditioning system manufactured by his firm. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG

Mr Colin Chia, co-founder of Ecoline Solar, with the solar thermal air-conditioning system manufactured by his firm.

ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG

A made-in-Singapore air-conditioner that uses up to 55 per cent less energy than conventional ones.

Conventional air-conditioners warm the refrigerant – a fluid that absorbs indoor heat and releases it outside – by using electricity.

The Ecoline system captures solar heat and heat from the surrounding air to warm up the refrigerant partially , saving energy.

NNIO’s 2-in-1 DC Motor Fan and Air Cooler. PHOTO: NNIO

NNIO’s 2-in-1 DC Motor Fan and Air Cooler.

A portable air cooler is suitable for homes or spaces that cannot be fitted with air-conditioners.

Surrounding warm air is drawn into the unit. The air passes through a water-soaked cooling pad and the cooler air is then blown out of the unit through a fan.

Air coolers serve as targeted cooling devices that make a specific person feel more comfortable, instead of cooling an entire room.

Freeze Tech cooling wear

Freeze Tech’s cooling inner wear for workers who work outdoors. PHOTO: FREEZE TECH

Freeze Tech’s cooling inner wear for workers who work outdoors.

Freeze Tech is a Japanese cooling apparel brand that coats its fabric with a type of sugar alcohol. When activated by perspiration or moisture, it triggers a reaction that draws heat away from the body.

The fabric is said to be able to cool a person down by up to 9 deg C, and can last more than 50 wash cycles.

At least one construction company is trialling Freeze Tech’s inner wear with its workers who work outdoors in Singapore.

A waist clip-on fan. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM GOOJODOQ’S WEBSITE

A waist clip-on fan.

PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM GOOJODOQ’S WEBSITE

These gadgets resemble portable chargers. They can be clipped onto the waistband, and they blow air to keep the torso cool and dry perspiration on the back.

Work gear with fans embedded are a common sight in Japan. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM KUCHOFUKU’S WEBSITE

Work gear with fans embedded are a common sight in Japan.

PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM KUCHOFUKU’S WEBSITE

Worker trousers fitted with fans. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM KUCHOFUKU’S WEBSITE

Worker trousers fitted with fans.

Circular fans attached to work uniforms are a common sight in Japanese workers who work outdoors.

The fan-jakketo – as the device is called – was introduced in Japan in the early 2000s, keeping workers breezy during punishing heatwaves.

A visitor wearing a portable neck fan and carrying his dog at Singapore Botanic Gardens. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

A visitor wearing a portable neck fan and carrying his dog at Singapore Botanic Gardens.

ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

Resting around the neck, this horseshoe-shaped device draws in air and pushes it through vents towards your neck and face, creating a cooling breeze.

Origin Mattress’ Origin Superior Coolmax Latex Pillow. PHOTO: ORIGIN MATTESS

Origin Mattress’ Origin Superior Coolmax Latex Pillow.

PHOTO: ORIGIN MATTESS

As nights get warmer, bedding items may need to be enhanced to improve sleep quality.

A cooling pillow typically has a cooling gel to draw heat away from the user, and tiny air pockets to allow constant airflow.

Shabana Begum is a correspondent, with a focus on environment and science, at The Straits Times.

在新加坡环球影城，一名女子撩起头发，她的朋友则用手持扇子对着她扇风。

发布于 2026 年 9 月 27 日下午 12:00

更新于2026年9月27日中午12:00

新加坡的 Ecoline 太阳能空调和便携式空气冷却器等创新型制冷设备有助于减少能源消耗，并在气温升高时提供有针对性的制冷。

日本的 Freeze Tech 服装等降温服可使体温降低 9°C，目前新加坡的户外工作者正在试用这种服装。

其他受欢迎的设备包括夹式风扇、风扇外套和降温枕头。

新加坡——随着气候变化和持续的厄尔尼诺现象导致气温上升，各国都在努力应对这一挑战，因此，寻找创新的降温解决方案也变得越来越重要。

虽然人们往往会求助于空调来降温，但联合国在最近于新加坡举行的一次会议上敦促来自约 60 个国家的代表们寻求其他更环保的降温策略。

这是因为传统空调耗能巨大，而且依赖制冷剂，其中一些制冷剂是强效温室气体。

在会议间隙接受《海峡时报》采访时，联合国环境规划署气候变化司司长马丁·克劳斯表示，资金短缺是扩大创新措施规模的最大挑战。

根据联合国环境规划署和国际金融公司 2024 年的一份报告，到 2050 年，发展中经济体的制冷解决方案市场预计将从每年约 3000 亿美元（3830 亿新元）增长到至少 6000 亿美元。

《海峡时报》重点介绍了一些市面上已有的降温设备。

Ecoline太阳能空调

Ecoline Solar联合创始人柯林·谢先生（Colin Chia）与该公司生产的太阳能热空调系统合影。（海峡时报摄影：梁崇俊）

Ecoline Solar 的联合创始人 Colin Chia 先生与他公司生产的太阳能热空调系统合影。

《海峡时报》照片：梁崇俊

新加坡制造的这款空调比传统空调节能高达 55%。

传统空调利用电力加热制冷剂（一种吸收室内热量并将其释放到室外的液体）。

Ecoline 系统利用太阳能和周围空气中的热量来部分加热制冷剂，从而节省能源。

NNIO二合一直流电机风扇和空气冷却器。图片：NNIO

NNIO 的二合一直流电机风扇和空气冷却器。

便携式冷风机适用于无法安装空调的家庭或场所。

周围的暖空气被吸入设备中。空气流经浸水的冷却垫，然后较冷的空气通过风扇从设备中吹出。

空气冷却器是一种针对特定对象的冷却设备，它能让特定的人感到更舒适，而不是给整个房间降温。

Freeze Tech 降温服

Freeze Tech公司为户外工作者设计的降温内衣。图片：FREEZE TECH

Freeze Tech 为户外工作者提供的降温内衣。

Freeze Tech是一家日本降温服装品牌，其面料表面涂有一层糖醇。当接触到汗液或湿气时，这种糖醇会触发反应，将热量从身体带走。

据说这种面料能使人体温降低 9 摄氏度，并且可以经受 50 次以上的洗涤循环。

至少有一家建筑公司正在新加坡试用 Freeze Tech 的内衣，该公司的员工都是在户外工作的。

一款可夹在腰间的风扇。图片：截取自 GOOJODOQ 网站

一款可夹在腰间的风扇。

图片：截取自 GOOJODOQ 网站

这些小装置外形类似便携式充电器。它们可以夹在腰带上，吹出气流，保持躯干凉爽，并吸走背部的汗水。

在日本，带有内置风扇的工作服很常见。图片：KUCHOFUKU网站截图

在日本，带有内置风扇的工作服很常见。

图片：KUCHOFUKU 网站的屏幕截图

工装裤配有风扇。图片：KUCHOFUKU 官网截图

工装裤配有风扇。

在日本户外工作的工人中，经常可以看到工作服上挂着圆形风扇。

这种名为“风扇”的装置于 2000 年代初在日本推出，让工人们在酷热难耐的热浪中保持凉爽。

一位游客在新加坡植物园内，脖子上挎着便携式颈扇，怀里抱着他的狗。（海峡时报摄影：林耀辉）

一位游客在新加坡植物园里，脖子上戴着便携式颈扇，手里抱着他的狗。

ST 照片：林耀辉

这款马蹄形装置环绕颈部，吸入空气并通过通风口将空气吹向颈部和面部，从而产生凉爽的微风。

Origin Mattress 的 Origin Superior Coolmax 乳胶枕。图片：ORIGIN MATTESS

Origin Mattress 的 Origin Superior Coolmax 乳胶枕头。

照片：ORIGIN MATTESS

随着夜晚气温升高，可能需要升级床上用品以提高睡眠质量。

凉爽枕头通常含有冷却凝胶，可将热量从使用者身上带走，并含有微小的气囊，以保证空气持续流通。

沙巴娜·贝古姆是《海峡时报》的记者，主要关注环境和科学领域。