Faculty Contact: Dr. Meredith McQuerry
Established in 2020, the ThermaNOLE Comfort Lab® operates under the direction of Dr. Meredith McQuerry, an expert in clothing comfort physiology. Research in this space focuses on a full systems ensemble approach to measuring how functional apparel impacts human performance and occupational tasks.
The lab is equipped with state-of-the-art testing technology, including a large walk-in environmental chamber, a sweating guarded hot plate, and ANDI—the first dynamic sweating thermal manikin at a public institution in the world. As the only thermal manikin capable of sensing both heat loss and heat gain through clothing, ANDI can test ambient environments above 35°C, radiant solar loads, and heated wearable technology. He walks, sweats, and replicates human physiological responses in real-time, including:
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Cardiac output and internal body temperature
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Sweating and skin temperature rates
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Skin blood flow
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Real-time comfort analysis during physical activity
Whether replicating extreme conditions like skiing in Aspen or running a marathon in Arizona, the ThermaNOLE Comfort Lab® provides unmatched capabilities to determine how clothing impacts human performance. In addition to academic research, the lab welcomes industry partners interested in product testing utilizing this unique setup.
ANDI Dynamic Sweating Thermal Manikin
Explore the Research
The ThermaNOLE Comfort Lab® is one of three dedicated spaces utilized by the WARP (Wearable Engineering and Apparel Research) Group at Florida State University. Led by Dr. Meredith McQuerry and her team of postdoctoral, graduate, and undergraduate researchers, this group leverages these facilities for advanced teaching, academic research, and external industry testing.
To explore their specific research initiatives and projects, visit the official WARP Research Group website.
Services Offered
- Standard ASTM Test Methods - ASTM F1291: (Thermal Insulation), ASTM F2370 (Evaporative Resistance), ASTM 2732 (Temperature Ratings), etc.
- Total Heat Loss/Gain Measurements
- Custom Manikin Physiological Control: simulate occupational environments or physical activities in indoor or outdoor ambient settings while wearing PPE, uniforms, activewear, etc.
- Dynamic Heat Flux Sensors/Active Chilling Mode: determine both heat loss and/or gain when an external heat load (ambient >35°C, solar load, or heated wearable tech) is introduced to the test scenario
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