Abstract: One variation of a method for fabricating a dermal heatsink includes: fabricating a substrate defining an interior surface, an exterior surface opposite the interior surface, and an open network of pores extending between the interior surface and the exterior surface; activating surfaces of the substrate and walls of the open network of pores; applying a coating over the substrate to form a heatsink, the coating comprising a porous, hydrophilic material and defining a void network; removing an excess of the coating from the substrate to clear blockages within the open network of pores by the coating; hydrating the heatsink during a curing period; heating the heatsink during the curing period to increase porosity of the coating applied over surfaces of the substrate; and rinsing the heatsink with an acid to decarbonate the coating along walls of the open network of pores in the substrate.

Abstract: One variation of a cooling system includes: a cooling unit including a substrate defining a thermally-conductive material and a coating defining a porous, hydrophilic material. The substrate defines: a base; a heatsink structure extending from the base; and an open network of pores extending between surfaces of the substrate. The coating extends across surfaces of the substrate and lines the open network of pores within the substrate. The heatsink structure is configured to: communicate thermal energy from a first working fluid, flowing over the heatsink structure, into the heatsink structure, to cool the first working fluid; and release thermal energy and moisture, contained in pores of the coating, into a second working fluid flowing over the heatsink structure, to cool the second working fluid and the heatsink structure.

Abstract: One variation of a system includes a garment insert: configured to be worn across a dermal surface; including a textile panel defining a grid receptacle; and including a grid structure arranged within the grid receptacle and defining an array of apertures. The system further includes a cooling unit including a heatsink structure: defining a base section defining an inner surface configured to contact the dermal surface; and defining a set of heatsink columns extending from the base section, opposite the inner surface, and configured to seat extending through the array of apertures. The cooling unit: is configured to wick moisture from the dermal surface toward surfaces of the set of heatsink columns; and includes a polymer frame, bonded to the heatsink structure about the base section, configured to abut surfaces of the base section to surfaces of the grid receptacle to flexibly retain the cooling unit within the grid receptacle.

Abstract: One variation of a method for fabricating a dermal heatsink includes: fabricating a substrate defining an interior surface, an exterior surface opposite the interior surface, and an open network of pores extending between the interior surface and the exterior surface; activating surfaces of the substrate and walls of the open network of pores; applying a coating over the substrate to form a heatsink, the coating comprising a porous, hydrophilic material and defining a void network; removing an excess of the coating from the substrate to clear blockages within the open network of pores by the coating; hydrating the heatsink during a curing period; heating the heatsink during the curing period to increase porosity of the coating applied over surfaces of the substrate; and rinsing the heatsink with an acid to decarbonate the coating along walls of the open network of pores in the substrate.

Abstract: One variation of a method for fabricating a dermal heatsink includes: fabricating a substrate defining an interior surface, an exterior surface opposite the interior surface, and an open network of pores extending between the interior surface and the exterior surface; activating surfaces of the substrate and walls of the open network of pores; applying a coating over the substrate to form a heatsink, the coating comprising a porous, hydrophilic material and defining a void network; removing an excess of the coating from the substrate to clear blockages within the open network of pores by the coating; hydrating the heatsink during a curing period; heating the heatsink during the curing period to increase porosity of the coating applied over surfaces of the substrate; and rinsing the heatsink with an acid to decarbonate the coating along walls of the open network of pores in the substrate.

Abstract: One variation of a cooling system includes: a cooling unit including a substrate defining a thermally-conductive material and a coating defining a porous, hydrophilic material. The substrate defines: a base; a heatsink structure extending from the base; and an open network of pores extending between surfaces of the substrate. The coating extends across surfaces of the substrate and lines the open network of pores within the substrate. The heatsink structure is configured to: communicate thermal energy from a first working fluid, flowing over the heatsink structure, into the heatsink structure, to cool the first working fluid; and release thermal energy and moisture, contained in pores of the coating, into a second working fluid flowing over the heatsink structure, to cool the second working fluid and the heatsink structure.

Abstract: One variation of a method for fabricating a dermal heatsink includes: fabricating a substrate defining an interior surface, an exterior surface opposite the interior surface, and an open network of pores extending between the interior surface and the exterior surface; activating surfaces of the substrate and walls of the open network of pores; applying a coating over the substrate to form a heatsink, the coating comprising a porous, hydrophilic material and defining a void network; removing an excess of the coating from the substrate to clear blockages within the open network of pores by the coating; hydrating the heatsink during a curing period; heating the heatsink during the curing period to increase porosity of the coating applied over surfaces of the substrate; and rinsing the heatsink with an acid to decarbonate the coating along walls of the open network of pores in the substrate.

Abstract: One variation of a method for fabricating a dermal heatsink includes: fabricating a substrate defining an interior surface, an exterior surface opposite the interior surface, and an open network of pores extending between the interior surface and the exterior surface; activating surfaces of the substrate and walls of the open network of pores; applying a coating over the substrate to form a heatsink, the coating comprising a porous, hydrophilic material and defining a void network; removing an excess of the coating from the substrate to clear blockages within the open network of pores by the coating; hydrating the heatsink during a curing period; heating the heatsink during the curing period to increase porosity of the coating applied over surfaces of the substrate; and rinsing the heatsink with an acid to decarbonate the coating along walls of the open network of pores in the substrate.

Abstract: One variation of a method for fabricating a dermal heatsink includes: fabricating a substrate defining an interior surface, an exterior surface opposite the interior surface, and an open network of pores extending between the interior surface and the exterior surface; activating surfaces of the substrate and walls of the open network of pores; applying a coating over the substrate to form a heatsink, the coating comprising a porous, hydrophilic material and defining a void network; removing an excess of the coating from the substrate to clear blockages within the open network of pores by the coating; hydrating the heatsink during a curing period; heating the heatsink during the curing period to increase porosity of the coating applied over surfaces of the substrate; and rinsing the heatsink with an acid to decarbonate the coating along walls of the open network of pores in the substrate.