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Space Toilet Diaper From Japan
A toilet diaper for astronauts is under development by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). This personal plumbing garment will be worn at all times.
(Space toilet diaper from JAXA)
Sensors will detect when the user relieves himself/herself; a rear-mounted suction unit will be automatically activated to draw the waste away from the body.
Old guard science fiction fans see this as a highly evolved version of David H. Keller's electric diaper, from his nifty 1928 short story The Psychophonic Nurse.
In every diaper there is a fine copper wire. When that becomes wet a delicate current is sent - you understand I mean an electrical current, not a watery one - to an amplifier and a certain sound is made...
(Read more about the electric diaper)
The space toilet diaper should be ready within 5 years. Chiaki Mukai, head of JAXA’s Space Biomedical Research Office, is looking forward to the development of the new toilet. “Long-term stays in space place significant stress on the mind and body,” Mukai says. “The toilet plays a crucial role in maintaining good health in space.”
From Pink Tentacle.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 1/6/2009)
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