Experimental Design Mentorship

RUNNING HEAD: BODY HEATING SYSTEM FOR SCUBA DIVERS 1
Body Heating System for Scuba Divers
Shahid Khan, Noah Egan, Alen Jomon
Dr. Ales Psaker
October 9, 2018 – May 31, 2019

BODY HEATING SYSTEM FOR SCUBA DIVERS 2
Rationale
The fundamental objective of our proposal is to confront a challenge faced by scuba
divers: hypothermia. Hypothermia is a medical condition caused by excessive heat loss from the
body, resulting in a lowered body temperature. Having direct contact with water can make
situations even worse for scuba divers. In water, even at warmer temperatures, there is a greater
loss in body-heat than compared to the body-heat loss in air. The effects of hypothermia can be
organized in three stages:
1. Stage 1 Hypothermia: the body temperature drops 1-2 ºC, minor shivering and
numbness in fingers occur.
2. Stage 2 Hypothermia: the body temperature drops 2-4 ºC, violent shivering, and
disorientation due to lower blood flow into the brain.
3. Stage 3 Hypothermia: the body temperature falls below 32 ºC, resulting bodily
functions and organs to shut down, eventually leading to a cardiac arrest then death.
To combat this issue, we are designing a heating pad that incorporates resistive wires to
generate heat. If a resistive wire has a current running through it, it will transfer heat to the body,
warming the area and helping combat hypothermia. This heat can be calculated using Joule’s
first law, which states that the power of heat generated by a resistive wire is proportional to the
1
current squared multiplied by the resistance of the wire. The full equation is written as H = I2Rt,
𝐽
where t is time in seconds, R is resistance in Ohms, I is current in amperes, J is a constant known
as Joule’s mechanical equivalent in heat, and H is heat in joules.
The technology used in this prototype can also be used in for comfort. Divers can turn the
device on at their convenience, and the device could also be put into clothing worn daily, in
normal life. Our prototype will have wide-reaching effects since hypothermia results in nearly
1,500 deaths worldwide each year.

Question
The question we will investigate is if a resistive wire can be powered to produce enough
heat in a cold underwater environment to increase comfort and protect against hypothermia. The
temperature generated should be a little above normal body temperature, around 37-39 degrees
Celsius. The heat generated from this resistor will transfer to the person wearing the pad, but in
the cold environment, some heat will inevitably leak into the water. Next, we will investigate the
effects of water pressure on the several components of the heating pad, to provide maximum
efficiency of the heating pad.

Hypothesis
We predict that if a resistive wire is coiled and put into a heating pad, then the resulting
heat will reach the heat of normal body temperature or higher (around 37-39 degrees Celsius).
Our engineering goals are to design a waterproof heating pad that can be used in deep water.
This pad will also be very thin to increase comfort and wear ability. The batteries will also be in
casings and will be waterproof and resistant to pressure. This pad will also be designed to
generate enough heat, even in a cold ambient environment. An Arduino will also control the
battery for the pad, so the battery can be turned on and off to regulate temperature. This will fight
against hypothermia by heating the wearer to around a certain temperature.

Materials and Methods
The materials we plan to use for this experiment are:
 Thin, plastic sheet
 36-gauge nichrome wire
 Waterproof temperature sensor
 Two 9V batteries
 Waterproof and pressure-proof battery casing
 Wires to connect each battery terminal to the resistive wire
 Wetsuit fabric
 Miniature transistor
 Vacuum sealing machine
 Rubber Sealant
 Arduino
 Arduino Thermistor
 Pressure gauge
First, the wire will be coiled to fit on the plastic within a 32x10cm area. Then, two wires will
be connected to the battery and each end of the resistive metal. Wires from a thermocouple will
also go on the plastic sheet, to measure the temperature the wire creates. The plastic will then be
folded, and vacuum sealed, creating a waterproof compartment for the resistive wire to have
current run through it. The holes that the wires that go into the plastic casing will have a rubber
seal applied. An Arduino will connect to the thermometer (Arduino Thermistor) and the battery
that powers the resistor, in the casing. It will take input from the thermometer and send a signal
to a transistor, which will turn the battery on and off to make the wire settle around a certain
temperature. It will be tested using the thermometer to measure the temperature. It will also be
tested deep underwater, using a pressure gauge to determine the exact pressure the water is at
when it is being tested.

Data Analysis
To measure the temperature of the wire, we will use a waterproof thermocouple to
measure the temperature of the heating pad underwater. We will also test the device against
water pressure using a deep pool, using a pressure gauge to measure the pressure in the pool. We
plan to test the device in water pressures equivalent to typical diving depths, around 18 meters
deep. We will also test to see if the overheating protection system works, so we will heat the wire
to a high temperature to test the shut-off system.

Risks and Safety Procedures
The main risk to consider is that the waterproofing of the device may not work properly,
and the device will be damaged and possible shock the wearer. Another risk is that the battery
casing will not be resistant to high pressure and may break, possibly causing the battery to
explode. We will minimize the dangers of these risks by doing tests to see if the device is
waterproof. The battery casing will also be tested multiple times. The temperature-based shut-off
system will also be tested to make sure there is no chance of the heating pad burning the wearer.
BODY HEATING SYSTEM FOR SCUBA DIVERS
10
Bibliography
Hypothermia and Heat Loss while Scuba Diving. (2009, December 11). Leisure Pro.
Mayo Foundation for Medical Educatio and Research. (2018, January 6). Hypothermia.
Retrieved from Mayo Clinic.
Wang, Z., Leonov, V., Fiorini, P., & Van Hoof, C. (2009). Realization of a wearable
miniaturized thermoelectric generator for human body applications. Sensors and
Actuators A: Physical, 95-102.
Ghosh, S. (2018, September 08). Joule's Law of Heating. Retrieved from
https://www.electrical4u.com/joules-law/

Experimental Design Mentorship

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Experimental Design Mentorship

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Experimental Design Mentorship

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

RUNNING HEAD: BODY HEATING SYSTEM FOR SCUBA DIVERS 1

Body Heating System for Scuba Divers

Shahid Khan, Noah Egan, Alen Jomon

Dr. Ales Psaker

October 9, 2018 – May 31, 2019

The fundamental objective of our proposal is to confront a challenge faced by scuba

organized in three stages:

numbness in fingers occur.

disorientation due to lower blood flow into the brain.

where t is time in seconds, R is resistance in Ohms, I is current in amperes, J is a constant known

as Joule’s mechanical equivalent in heat, and H is heat in joules.

1,500 deaths worldwide each year.

efficiency of the heating pad.

against hypothermia by heating the wearer to around a certain temperature.

Materials and Methods

The materials we plan to use for this experiment are:

 Thin, plastic sheet

 36-gauge nichrome wire

 Waterproof temperature sensor

 Waterproof and pressure-proof battery casing

 Wires to connect each battery terminal to the resistive wire

 Vacuum sealing machine

when it is being tested.

To measure the temperature of the wire, we will use a waterproof thermocouple to

to a high temperature to test the shut-off system.

Risks and Safety Procedures

Retrieved from Mayo Clinic.

miniaturized thermoelectric generator for human body applications. Sensors and

Actuators A: Physical, 95-102.

Ghosh, S. (2018, September 08). Joule's Law of Heating. Retrieved from

You might also like