Nottingham grad designs thermal-regulating “cocoon” for babies

Developing countries, refugee camps and disaster relief zones often do not have the resources needed to establish Neonatal Intensive Care Units, so that low birth-weight babies face a much higher risk of death. Fergus Vaux, a recent product design graduate at Nottingham Trent University, U.K., has designed a product to address this need. 

Offering a low-cost and zero-energy alternative, “Insulata” is a simple wrap over design that secures the baby in a cocoon of specially layered fabrics, allowing the baby’s warmth to be conserved. The wrap consists of an outer layer of waterproof nylon lined with reflective aluminium, natural sheep wool, a fabric developed by NASA called Outlast with unique insulating properties, and bamboo weave.