Aerospace Medicine Technical Reports

FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute


Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-67/17

Title and Subtitle: A portable device for the measurement of evaporative water loss.

Report Date: August 1967

Authors: Funkhouser GE, Billings SM.

Abstract: A portable device has been developed for the precise measurement of evaporative water loss. Under appropriate conditions the measurement of evaporative water loss may be used as an index of 'emotional stress' in flying personnel. The apparatus incorporates a thermal conductivity cell as a moisture sensor, a proportional heater control to maintain the cell at the proper temperature, and a compressed air circuit to act as a carrier for water vapor. The unit is entirely battery powered.

Key Words: perspiration, measurement, evaporation, moisture, detection, calibration, portable equipment, instrumentation, temperature control, stress (psychology), aviation personnel, aviation medicine.

No. of Pages: 12

Last updated: Friday, June 1, 2012