Material Science
CoolTouch® Technology
Phase-change micro-capsules that absorb body heat on contact and maintain a 3.2°C cooler surface; the highest independently verified cooling rating in sleep bedding.
CoolTouch® Phase-Change Fabric
CoolTouch® is a proprietary phase-change fabric system that uses micro-encapsulated phase-change materials (PCMs) to absorb excess body heat on contact. PCMs are substances that absorb and store heat when they change from solid to liquid state at a calibrated temperature (just above skin temperature, ~35°C). CoolTouch® achieves a Q-Max rating of 0.38 W/cm²; the textile industry metric for instant cooling sensation; the highest independently verified cooling rating in sleep bedding.
Key Research Data
0.38
Q-Max rating (W/cm²); highest verified cooling in bedding
AATCC Test Method 195
4.2°C
surface temperature reduction vs standard bedding
Independent textile lab testing, 2024
3×
higher cooling sensation than standard cotton (Q-Max 0.12)
AATCC Test Method 195
8h
sustained cooling across full sleep cycle
Sleep Lab™ clinical data
How Phase-Change Materials Work
Phase-change materials (PCMs) are substances that absorb and release thermal energy during the process of changing between solid and liquid states. In CoolTouch® fabric, micro-encapsulated PCMs are embedded in the fibre structure.
The process works as follows: 1. When skin temperature rises above 35°C (normal skin temperature during sleep), the PCM micro-capsules absorb the excess heat and change from solid to liquid state. 2. This heat absorption prevents the heat from returning to the sleep environment; the heat is stored in the PCM rather than reflected back to the skin. 3. When skin temperature drops (during the body's natural cooling cycle), the PCM releases the stored heat and returns to solid state. 4. This creates a self-regulating thermal buffer that maintains the skin surface in the optimal 33–36°C range throughout the night.
This is fundamentally different from "cooling" fabrics that simply feel cool initially but warm up as they absorb body heat. PCM-based cooling is sustained and self-regulating across the full 8-hour sleep cycle.
Chung, H. et al. (2020). Phase change materials for thermoregulation in textiles. Polymers.
Q-Max: The Cooling Measurement Standard
Q-Max is the textile industry standard for measuring the instant cool-to-touch sensation of a fabric. It measures how quickly a fabric conducts heat away from skin on first contact, expressed in W/cm². Higher Q-Max values mean a stronger, faster cooling sensation.
Standard fabric Q-Max ratings: • Standard cotton: 0.10–0.15 W/cm² (minimal cooling) • Polyester: 0.12–0.18 W/cm² (minimal cooling) • Bamboo: 0.20 W/cm² (moderate cooling) • Silk: 0.22 W/cm² (moderate cooling) • TENCEL™ Lyocell: 0.25 W/cm² (good natural cooling) • GLACIO® Mineral Fibres: 0.31 W/cm² (strong cooling) • CoolTouch® Phase-Change Fabric: 0.38 W/cm² (clinical-grade cooling)
CoolTouch®'s Q-Max of 0.38 is the highest independently verified cooling rating in sleep bedding. This means it provides more than 3× the instant cooling sensation of standard cotton.
When shopping for cooling bedding, look for products that publish their Q-Max score. Any brand claiming "cooling" without this metric cannot verify their claim.
AATCC Test Method 195. Independent textile laboratory testing, 2023.
CoolTouch® in The Sleep Lab™ Products
CoolTouch® technology is integrated into multiple The Sleep Lab™ products:
1. CoolCloud® Pillow (AED 280): CoolTouch® fabric cover with CloudFill® fibre blend. The pillow surface has the highest skin contact duration of any sleep product, making CoolTouch®'s Q-Max 0.38 rating especially impactful for head and neck cooling.
2. CoolTouch® Memory Contour Pillow (AED 400): CoolTouch® fabric wrapping ventilated contour memory foam. This solves the heat-trapping problem of standard memory foam pillows while providing cervical support.
3. CoolTouch® Performance Comforter (from AED 589): CoolTouch® fabric on both sides with breathable performance fill. This is the main thermal layer; replacing a standard duvet with CoolTouch® eliminates the heat trap that triggers night sweats.
4. CoolTouch® Performance Eye Mask (AED 149): CoolTouch® fabric provides instant cooling and full blackout for the facial area; a primary heat perception site.
In clinical testing, subjects using CoolTouch® bedding reported 27 minutes faster sleep onset, 41% reduction in night-waking events, and 32% more deep sleep compared to standard bedding controls.
Sleep Lab™ Clinical Study, n=847, 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CoolTouch®?
CoolTouch® is a proprietary phase-change fabric that uses micro-encapsulated PCM (phase-change materials) to absorb excess body heat on contact. It achieves a Q-Max rating of 0.38 W/cm²; the highest independently verified cooling rating in sleep bedding, providing 3× the instant cooling of standard cotton.
How does CoolTouch® cooling work?
PCM micro-capsules in the fabric absorb body heat when skin temperature rises above 35°C (changing from solid to liquid), storing the heat rather than reflecting it back. When skin temperature drops, the PCM releases the heat and returns to solid. This creates a self-regulating thermal buffer sustained across the full 8-hour sleep cycle.
What is Q-Max?
Q-Max is the textile industry standard for measuring instant cool-to-touch sensation, expressed in W/cm². Standard cotton scores 0.10–0.15, TENCEL™ scores 0.25, and CoolTouch® scores 0.38; the highest verified rating. Higher Q-Max means stronger, faster cooling on skin contact.
Does CoolTouch® really work?
Yes. In clinical testing, subjects using CoolTouch® bedding reported 27 minutes faster sleep onset, 41% reduction in night-waking, and 32% more deep sleep vs standard bedding. The Q-Max 0.38 rating is independently verified by AATCC Test Method 195.
