Ultra-low thermal conductivity diving suit material for enhanced persistence in cold water dives

Abstract

Disclosed are ultra-low thermal conductivity fabrics, methods for preparing them and methods of using them, in particular as diving suit materials for enhanced persistence in cold-water dives.

1 . A thermally insulating fabric comprising a polymeric material infused with a high molecular weight gas. 
     
     
         2 . The thermally insulating fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric is water compatible. 
     
     
         3 . The thermally insulating fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric is substantially water resistant or waterproof 
     
     
         4 . The thermally insulating fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric material comprises neoprene foam, polystyrene, or nitrile butadiene rubber. 
     
     
         5 . The thermally insulating fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the high molecular weight gas is a noble gas. 
     
     
         6 . The thermally insulating fabric of  claim 5 , wherein the high molecular weight gas is selected from the group consisting of xenon, krypton, and argon. 
     
     
         7 . The thermally insulating fabric of  claim 6 , wherein the high molecular weight gas is xenon. 
     
     
         8 . The thermally insulating fabric of  claim 6 , wherein the high molecular weight gas is argon. 
     
     
         9 . The thermally insulating fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the thermally insulting fabric has a thermal conductivity of about 0.031 W/m-K. 
     
     
         10 . The thermally insulating fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the thermally insulting fabric provides thermal protection in harsh environments. 
     
     
         11 . The thermally insulating fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric material comprises neoprene foam. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A flexible garment comprising the thermally insulating fabric of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 .- 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A dive suit comprising the thermally insulating fabric of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         27 .- 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . A method of preparing a thermally insulating fabric of  claim 1 , comprising:
 placing a fabric in a sealed container; and   filling the sealed container with an insulating gas;   thereby forming the thermally insulating fabric of  claim 1 .   
     
     
         38 .- 45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the container is filled with the insulating gas to a pressure of about 10-50 psi or about 20 psi. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the method further comprises maintaining the pressure of the container from about 1 hour to about 100 hours. 
     
     
         48 .- 52 . (canceled) 
     
     
         53 . A method for protecting a diver in a cold-water environment, comprising clothing a diver in the dive suit of  claim 26 . 
     
     
         54 .- 56 . (canceled) 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the method reduces the diver's risk for hyperthermia. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the method allows the diver to stay in the cold water environment for at least about two hours, or about two hours to about three hours. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the cold water has a temperature of 10° C. or less.