Wondaleaf Afresh cooling headband wins global award in China

The Wondaleaf Afresh, a cooling headband developed in Sarawak, has won the Best Invention Award at the 12th International Exhibition of Inventions (IEI 2026) in Guangzhou, China. The device emerged victorious from more than 3,700 entries representing over 30 countries, also securing a Gold Award at the event co-hosted by the China Association of Inventions and the International Federation of Inventors’ Associations.

Developed over 18 months through more than 100 prototypes, the headband utilizes moving water and evaporation to provide sustained cooling. The invention, led by Adjunct Professor Dr John Tang Ing Ching of the University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) in collaboration with Twin Catalyst Sdn Bhd, is designed for use in hot environments, during physical activity, and for topical fever management. The design allows water vapor to escape without dripping, preventing sweat from entering the eyes while cooling the head, which accounts for approximately 20 per cent of the body’s energy consumption.