ONGOING Project_ Phase 1

The PULMO concept originated from a conversation where one of my interlocutors started discussing about freediving and then came to me the idea of designing a biodesigned apparatus, en exo-organ that would have the ability to recycle a diver’s breath and thus extend their time underwater.

The PULMO concept is a rebreathing mask designed to extend freedivers’ time underwater. Rebreathing is an adaptation in semi-aquatic Anoles: the lizard forms an air bubble on its snout and breathes through it. During exhalation, carbon dioxide migrates to the bubble's surface and diffuses into the surrounding water the mask functions as an extension of the human body, like an exo-organ that recycles a diver’s first breath. As the diver nears the point of resurfacing, they exhale breath held into the system and inhale a portion of the air held in the air pockets. PULMO is a biohybrid system designed to release carbon dioxide into the water and pull soluble oxygen from water via gill-inspired structures, mimicking branchial respiration (fish) and cutaneous respiration (amphibians). Theoretically, the user could recycle the air for up to two breaths to continue underwater. The mask attaches to the face using suction mechanics modeled after the remora fish’s dorsal fin. The mask is to be made with materials like TPU, PHA and/or cartilage analog biomaterial.

Besides the obvious technological/biological constraints of the concept, the mask is purposely designed to blur the line between a technological and biological aesthetic, to explore our comfort zone with bio-hybrid systems. Following the Type 1 design philosophy, this bio-hybrid system must not contain any petroleum derived material. It can only be designed with biomaterials, sustainable materials, and living components. 

Principal Investigator: Yves A. Michel_Professor of practice, MASc (industrial designer, conceptual biodesigner)

Current team/ research assistants: Nivi Felix_2nd year IID student, Leland Hanewall_2nd year IID student, Maisie Pierce_2nd year IID student, Lilly Forney_4th year Design Studies student, Lily Minicozzi_4th year IID student

Life Science Consultants: Austin Garner, PhD/biology, Dave (Moz) Mozdehi, PhD/chemistry

3D Animation: Nell DeChick/ Five Peaks Animation, Trevor Moucha/ Five Peaks Animation

3D CAD: Leland Hanewall_2nd year IID student, Kevin Sutherland/ Forty Forty Lab

Past research assistants: Carolyn Fernandes/IID, Natalie D’Alto/IID student, Donovan Capdeville/IID student, Son Cao/IID student