2 years ago
How does a "SuperSuit" work?
Canadian mountaineer Jamie Clarke plans to climb Mount Everest later this month dressed in a Supersuit claiming this ultra thin suit will do more than protect him in the frigid temperatures, the suit will likely cause him to overheat and he is more worried about the overheating than the coldness of the thin icy air.
MSNBC | Man to climb Everest in ‘Supersuit’
MSNBC | Man to climb Everest in ‘Supersuit’
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My thought is that this "supersuit" acts on the same priciple as a wetsuit: the body warms the surrounding material and keeps the body insulated.
Wetsuits however, warm the water surrounding the body - the warmed water is able to escape via neck, wrist, ankle and zipper exits preventing overheating. It seems like the issue with the Supersuit is that there is no escape at all for the warmer air which may cause the overheating issue: Quote: "Aerogel, silicon modified to contain microscopic pockets of air — it's often compared to "solid smoke" — was developed for use as industrial insulation, and it's one of the best, lightest insulators around."
Since the silicon doesn't allow the warm air to escape, my guess is that the heat stays in one place (or key places on the body) and could cause a person to overheat.
That said, I'm sure getting a drink of water (or taking a rest) on the face of Mt. Everest is probably not the most convenient thing in the world...
Wetsuits however, warm the water surrounding the body - the warmed water is able to escape via neck, wrist, ankle and zipper exits preventing overheating. It seems like the issue with the Supersuit is that there is no escape at all for the warmer air which may cause the overheating issue: Quote: "Aerogel, silicon modified to contain microscopic pockets of air — it's often compared to "solid smoke" — was developed for use as industrial insulation, and it's one of the best, lightest insulators around."
Since the silicon doesn't allow the warm air to escape, my guess is that the heat stays in one place (or key places on the body) and could cause a person to overheat.
That said, I'm sure getting a drink of water (or taking a rest) on the face of Mt. Everest is probably not the most convenient thing in the world...
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
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