Enhanced Thermal Insulation in Water Through the Use of Glass and Ceramic Microspheres
Abstract
Maintaining body temperature has always been a concern for divers working in cold water. Failing to preserve warmth is not only a matter of comfort but can also lead to serious injuries and even death, primarily through an increased risk of decompression sickness, hypothermia, and other life-threatening conditions. According to the U.S. Navy dive manual, "Cellular neoprene wetsuits lose a significant portion of their insulating properties as depth increases and the material compresses." Other NPS students have successfully applied the use of glass microsphere beads and ceramic microsphere beads in separate composite wetsuit designs that enhance warmth for divers at various depths. Previous researchers at NPS have discovered that the most effective method for applying the composite glass bead material to the body is through a 3mm wetsuit with 2mm neoprene pockets. However, the previous students did not apply the glass bead composite material to the head, nor did they use ceramic microsphere composite material in combination with glass microsphere composite material to insulate the diver and improve the ergonomics of the suit. In this research, I was able to develop a suit that keeps the diver warmer at depth than a standard off-the-shelf 7mm wetsuit, while also distributing weight evenly throughout the body, allowing the diver to move more ergonomically underwater.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1225512
Entities
People
- Garrett A. Sabesky
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School