2008 Woodie Awards
Ocean engineering students look to create universal standard for scuba diving equipment with 'rebreather'
Christina Cannon
Issue date: 3/28/08 Section: Campus
03/28/08 -
Scuba diving equipment has always limited the exploration of the depths of undiscovered waters, until now.
University of Rhode Island ocean engineering majors Andrew Valanis and Travis Barao are currently looking at ways to improve the efficiency of the "rebreather" device, which will help elongate dive times in the near future. The juniors are exploring the use of this device as interns for Michael Lombardi, founder of Ocean Opportunity, a Providence-based non-profit organization that conducts undersea explorations.
The "rebreather" allows a diver to go 500 to 600 feet below the water, as opposed to an air-tank, which can only allow the diver to explore at a depth of 200 to 300 feet. Closed circuit rebreathers are an extremely cutting-edge underwater life support system that the diver uses instead of the more conventional open-circuit scuba.
CCRs recycle what the diver's exhale, and in doing so it, recovers valuable gas that is expelled as bubbles in open-circuit apparatus. One of the advantages of using closed circuit rebreathers is both a physical and physiological benefit of re-circulating the breathing gas. These advantages include extended duration, which typically lasts three to four hours. However, the amount of oxygen a CCR dispenses corresponds to how deep divers go.
Valanis and Barao said the CCR technology might soon be available to divers. The two have been working on a computer model of the CCR for six months. There are different ways of making a "rebreather," but the goal of both Valanis and Barao is to someday establish a standard design.
During World War II the British, German, Italian and American navies used military oxygen and nitrox rebreathers. However, little research has been done on it in recent years.
"There are no standards for the rebreather development and manufacturing across the market, so we're trying to set the standard," Barao said. "Other versions have hoses going to different spots and different ways the gases flow through the unit. We're trying to organize the unit and standardize it."
To do this Valanis did a significant amount of research on the earlier versions of the technology. Valanis and Barao then designed computer models and new parts using Solid Works, a software program they were trained to use through their URI coursework. The final product is being used to market this device to customers.
"We want to create something that will help exploration. There is so much that hasn't been discovered in the ocean yet," Barao said.
Valanis and Borao attended the Boston Sea Rovers trade show in Boston on March 8 and displayed the unit to introduce the device to manufacturers and other companies.
The students' involvement in this project started when they applied for an internship at Ocean Opportunity. Lombardi said that both of the students had the required background experience in ocean engineering and enthusiasm to build something new and innovative.
Scuba diving equipment has always limited the exploration of the depths of undiscovered waters, until now.
University of Rhode Island ocean engineering majors Andrew Valanis and Travis Barao are currently looking at ways to improve the efficiency of the "rebreather" device, which will help elongate dive times in the near future. The juniors are exploring the use of this device as interns for Michael Lombardi, founder of Ocean Opportunity, a Providence-based non-profit organization that conducts undersea explorations.
The "rebreather" allows a diver to go 500 to 600 feet below the water, as opposed to an air-tank, which can only allow the diver to explore at a depth of 200 to 300 feet. Closed circuit rebreathers are an extremely cutting-edge underwater life support system that the diver uses instead of the more conventional open-circuit scuba.
CCRs recycle what the diver's exhale, and in doing so it, recovers valuable gas that is expelled as bubbles in open-circuit apparatus. One of the advantages of using closed circuit rebreathers is both a physical and physiological benefit of re-circulating the breathing gas. These advantages include extended duration, which typically lasts three to four hours. However, the amount of oxygen a CCR dispenses corresponds to how deep divers go.
Valanis and Barao said the CCR technology might soon be available to divers. The two have been working on a computer model of the CCR for six months. There are different ways of making a "rebreather," but the goal of both Valanis and Barao is to someday establish a standard design.
During World War II the British, German, Italian and American navies used military oxygen and nitrox rebreathers. However, little research has been done on it in recent years.
"There are no standards for the rebreather development and manufacturing across the market, so we're trying to set the standard," Barao said. "Other versions have hoses going to different spots and different ways the gases flow through the unit. We're trying to organize the unit and standardize it."
To do this Valanis did a significant amount of research on the earlier versions of the technology. Valanis and Barao then designed computer models and new parts using Solid Works, a software program they were trained to use through their URI coursework. The final product is being used to market this device to customers.
"We want to create something that will help exploration. There is so much that hasn't been discovered in the ocean yet," Barao said.
Valanis and Borao attended the Boston Sea Rovers trade show in Boston on March 8 and displayed the unit to introduce the device to manufacturers and other companies.
The students' involvement in this project started when they applied for an internship at Ocean Opportunity. Lombardi said that both of the students had the required background experience in ocean engineering and enthusiasm to build something new and innovative.