Invention Allows Humans to Breathe Like Fish

[FishFood]

I would assume water type wouldn't water. Although a lot of fresh water sources have less o2 in the water, so that would affect it.

[FishFood]

I found the inventor's website:

LikeAFish Technologies

Seawater naturally contains between 1.5% to 2.5% dissolved air, 34% of which is Oxygen. The dissolved air can be separated from the water by applying low pressure. This, according to Henry's Law, which states that the amount of a gas that can be dissolved in a liquid is proportional to the pressure on the liquid. Reducing the pressure will cause dissolved gas to be released from the liquid (this is what happens when you open a bottle of soda). Reduction of the pressure will be achieved by using a centrifuge, causing lower pressure in the center. After separation the air is transferred to an air bag for use by the diver.

And to answer ShortyMan's concern:

Several people inquired about the impact of reducing the dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in the waters, and raised a concern about available oxygen left for the fish to breathe. We have studied this issue and found that humans consume about twice the amount of oxygen as fish of the same weight. For example, a small school of Tuna fish weighing a total of 1,000 kgs consumes the same amount of oxygen as a group of humans weighing 500 kgs. Unless used in a small confined area, waters of low oxygen levels are readily replenished with oxygen from surrounding waters. Hence there is virtually no negative ecological impact

Latest Developements:

A new prototype, made of stainless steel, was designed and produced for the purpose of participating in the Biosub project. A series of tests were performed in a private pool. Both the quantity of separated air was measured, as well as the percentage of dissolved oxygen (DO) remaining in the water after separation.

Because of instrumentation problems, the device could not be made ready in time for the BioSub experiment. However, even in these initial tests, the device was shown to be capable of extracting both entrained air as well as dissolved air. A new series of tests is planned for the near future

[Navy OnStar]

It's interesting that Oxygen in present as 34% of the gas vice the 21% in air. I wonder why it dissolves easier than nitrogen?

[setesh]

I'm guessing the power needs would necessitate a battery pack at least as big and cumbersome as a scuba tank. Last time I checked, batteries are pretty heavy too. Neat idea though

[Ohmdiver]

Heavy batteries would mean that the diver would have to carry less (lead)wieght, would this create a problem if you had to ditch wieght?

[torrey]

Originally Posted by Ohmdiver

Heavy batteries would mean that the diver would have to carry less (lead)wieght, would this create a problem if you had to ditch wieght?

To further expand your question, if you are carrying anything heavy, you will need a BC to compensate. With a tank, you have lots of air available at any given moment to inflate it...would this thing be able to create a reserve of air to fill a BC in a moments notice if needed?

[Mtrewyn]

This is a start of some very interesting technology, is it keeps getting developed, think in 10 years....

[mm2002]

I've wondered if something like this would be possible. I'll bet it's only a matter of time!