2010 R&D 100 Winner
In low temperatures, it can be difficult to keep water from freezing; at the same time, higher altitudes increase dehydration in humans. The High Altitude Hydration System (HAHS) from NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, addresses this common complaint for people working or climbing at high altitudes.
Co-inventor Scott Parazynski has a particular appreciation of this problem, having dealt with the effects of dehydration as a medical doctor, mountaineer, and astronaut with NASA. For his HAHS product, which he has tested on climbs on Mt. Everest, he engineered both passive and active thermal control systems. Packaged as a backpack, the system provides up to 3 L of liquid beverage in leak-proof container. It is worn on the front of the body, and for passive insulation relies on the effects of body heat and aerogel insulator around the drink straw. A low-density solid with fine microstructures, the aerogel developed at NASA is an exceptional barrier to extreme cold, with a thermal conductivity of 0.016 to 0.03 W/mK, about 10 times more effective than neoprene. A braided copper wire also carries body heat around the drinking straw, which drains of fluid when not in use. Optional battery-powered tape heaters add to the thermal package.
Technology
Freeze-resistant hydration device
Developers
NASA Johnson Space Center
Development Team
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| (l-r): Evelene Orndoff, Grant Bue, Scott Parazynski, and Kase Urban. |
A Canteen for the Extreme Cold Development Team:
Grant Bue, NASA Johnson Space Center
Evelyne Orndoff, NASA Johnson Space Center
Scott Parazynski, Wyle Integrated Science & Engineering Group
Mark Schaefbauer Jacobs Technology
Kase Urban, Jacobs Technology
