Respirocyte's - NANO Technology & Diving

[hfig]

My Boss and I always get into neat discussion's about Nano Technology, we are both engineers and we both look forward to using a lot of the new technologies coming down the pipe line. My Boss knows I cave dive and sent these to me today.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Respirocyte
http://www.thenanoage.com/respirocytes.htm
http://www.kurzweilai.net/respirocytes

Imagine being able to hold your breath for 4 hours. Forget rebreathers I'm waiting for these.

Quote from 2nd Article.

"Respirocytes would have interesting applications for diving. A diver with respirocytes in his/her bloodstream would be able to dive for hours on a single breath while avoiding both the bends and narcosis, since these afflictions are caused by breathing compressed air underwater (under pressure) which allows more nitrogen to dissolve into the bloodstream than at one atmosphere of pressure. Returning to the surface after prolonged submersion can cause the nitrogen dissolved in the blood to return to a gas (bubbles) more quickly than it can it can be removed."

Quote from 3rd article.

"...the diver simply holds his breath and dives, goes about his business underwater for a few hours, then surfaces, hyperventilates for 8 minutes to recharge, and returns to work below."

Thanks,

[Greenwood_60]

I wonder if 1 minute of 100% o2 at 30' would do for a recharge.

[hfig]

I wonder if 1 minute of 100% o2 at 30' would do for a recharge.

I can picture staging an AL-80 with 21% at the proper depth and penetration distance, so I don't have to go all the way out but still not worry about Deco and Narcosis. The possibilities are endless really.

[Neptuno]

I want some of those... no more getting stuck in restrictions

[apitkin]

Don't hold your breath. Still much closer to a pipe dream than reality. You may want to get a rebreather in the meantime, as you'll be far too old to dive (as will your grandchildren) if you wait for these to show up.

[Squirrel Girl]

Each respirocyte could store and transport 236 times more oxygen than a natural red blood cell, and could release it in a more controlled manner. If an adult human's red blood cells were entirely replaced with these devices, that person could hold his/her breath underwater for hours, or sprint at top speed for at least 15 minutes without taking a breath.Each respirocyte could store and transport 236 times more oxygen than a natural red blood cell, and could release it in a more controlled manner. If an adult human's red blood cells were entirely replaced with these devices, that person could hold his/her breath underwater for hours, or sprint at top speed for at least 15 minutes without taking a breath.

Replace your red blood cells entirely with respirocytes? What could go wrong?

[FW]

I want some of those... no more getting stuck in restrictions

Nah, you would only get stuck in smaller restrictions...

[apitkin]

Replace your red blood cells entirely with respirocytes? What could go wrong?

Nothing. Nature has only had a few million years of playing with nanotechnology herself, so there's plenty of room for improvement.

[cavedivingwoman]

Don't hold your breath.

A pun, Andy?

[RTyler]

Read this the other day and it reminded me of this article (finally found it)

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/sc...h-2139167.html