Hardware creator makes hat that is both a ‘functioning art piece’ and also uses a Noctua fan to deliver six-hours of personal cooling
A Danish hardware creator and YouTuber from the channel “Making Stuff with Mike” has designed and built an innovative personal cooling device disguised as a functioning art piece. The creation features a modified hard hat with a mini-chimney centerpiece incorporating a Noctua fan—a component known for efficient, quiet operation in computer builds. The device delivers approximately six hours of continuous personal cooling.
The project emerged in response to record-breaking heatwaves affecting Denmark and England during summer 2026, with temperatures reaching 37°C (98.6°F). The creator built the cooling hat specifically for BornHack 2026, an event occurring during this period of extreme heat. Rather than designing a purely utilitarian device, the maker approached the project as both functional technology and artistic expression, creating something that serves its cooling purpose while maintaining visual interest as a “functioning art piece.”
The integration of a Noctua fan—typically used in computer hardware for thermal management—demonstrates creative repurposing of existing technology for unconventional applications. This DIY innovation exemplifies how makers and hardware enthusiasts apply creative engineering solutions to real-world problems caused by extreme weather conditions.