The first step in the Deep Sentinel program, one of the most ambitious ocean-engineering projects in decades, will be completed this year. This initial step, called Vanguard, will shelter three aquanaut-scientists at depths of 100 meters. Eventually, the project will create a modular underwater habitat system that will let scientists live underwater for weeks at a time.
  • merde alors@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    0·
    3 days ago

    Because of its narcotic effect at high pressure, nitrogen shouldn’t be breathed by humans at depths below about 60 meters. So, at 200 meters, the breathing mix in the habitat will be 2 percent oxygen and 98 percent helium. But because of its very high thermal conductivity, “we need to heat helium to 31–32 °C to get a normal 21–22 °C internal temperature environment,” says Rick Goddard, director of engineering at Deep. “This creates a humid atmosphere, so porous materials become a breeding ground for mold”.

    😮

    • Echo Dot@feddit.ukEnglish
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      3 days ago

      What they mean is they will need to use the amount of energy that you would normally put into air to get it to 31° C, but the helium will only get to 21° C. At no point will the helium actually be 31° C.

      • BastingChemina@slrpnk.netEnglish
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        2 days ago

        Apparently when doing saturation diving like that you can’t even understand what the other person says, between the helium and the pressure the voice is too distorted to be intelligible.

        You can communicate with a computer that transforms your voice to be intelligible but it is really not a pleasant conversation so you can stay there for weeks without having a conversation except for the bare minimum.

      • NaibofTabr@infosec.pubEnglish
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        3 days ago

        Hmm… maybe not? The low density of helium at 1 atm is what causes the amplification of higher frequencies in the voicebox, but in a pressurized container the gas would be higher density so it might offset the effect… I think?