Journal of Ergonomics
Open Access

Department of Physics, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, USA

Publications

• Research Article   
  Ergonomic Segmented Composite Diving Suit with Superior Thermal Protection and Enhanced Manufacturability through Chocobar Technique.
  Author(s): Codi Clark and Emil P. Kartalov*
  
  Hypothermia is a major hazard during long exposure in cold water and can lead to unconsciousness, organ damage, and eventually death. Cold water divers typically wear bubbled neoprene wetsuits to protect themselves from these harsh conditions. However, wetsuits have their limitations. Air bubbles within the neoprene shrink with depth under the increasing ambient pressure, which degrades the suit’s thermal protection. Thicker neoprene is warmer but is less flexible and fatigues the diver faster. To solve this problem, we developed and reported on the K1 suit. K1 featured composite plates fitted to non-bending areas of the body. The composite was made of hollow glass microspheres embedded in thermally cured silicone cast in 3D-printed molds designed from 3D scans of the diver’s body. The K1 combined the ergonomics of a 3 mm suit with thermal protection .. View More»
  DOI: 10.35248/2165-7556.23.13.350

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