Thermal Physiology Laboratory

Location: building 41, room 303B
Telephone: 5914
Contact person: Nigel Taylor

Research Facilities:

• Climate chamber: -10oC to +50oC
• Immersion tank: 0oC to 50oC
• Water-perfusion garments
• Sweat capsule systems: sweat rate and expulsion frequency
• Skin blood flow: laser-Doppler flowmetry, venous-occlusion plethysmography
• Cardiac output: impedance cardiography, CO2 rebreathing
• Heart rate: portable monitors and electrocardiogram
• Body-fluid measurements: Evans blue and isotope dilution
• Respiratory gas analysis
• Thermometry: core, skin, subcutaneous, intramuscular
• Psychophysical and cognitive function tests
• Electronic ergometers (dry and immersible), treadmills
• Also see: Exercise and Applied Cardiovascular Physiology Laboratory

Research Projects:

The Thermal Physiology Laboratory conducts a wide range of basic and applied physiology research projects. These projects fall within the following general categories:

• Human temperature regulation in hot and cold environments during work and exercise
• Neural and pharmacological control of human sweating
• Thermal adaptation: heat and cold
• The interaction of hydration state on physiological and cognitive function
• Regional variations in thermosensitivity, sweating, skin blood flow and thermal comfort
• Evaluation of clothing and personal protective equipment
• Auxiliary and post-exercise cooling for emergency service and military personnel
• Physical employment standards for workers in stressful environments

More details concerning these projects can be found under the Publications and Students pages attached to the home page