An Artificial Gill System for Oxygen Uptake from Water Using Perfluorooctylbromide

If the oxygen dissolved in seawater could be used for breathing, human beings could spend more time under water, greatly increasing their mobility. As yet, however, sufficient oxygen to enable us to live in the sea for long periods is not available. An artificial gill system has been developed for oxygen uptake from water to deoxygenated air using perfluorooctylbromide (PFOB), which has high oxygen solubility. It was found that oxygen was transferred rapidly from water to PFOB when water flowed outside the hollow fibers and PFOB flowed inside. Oxygen transfer through the membrane from PFOB to air was found to be the rate determining step. Use of PFOB gave a stable supply of oxygen from water to deoxygenated air over long periods. It was found that PFOB acts as a storage medium for oxygen.