Mathematical Modelling of Human Thermoregulation: Prolonged Exposure to a Space Environment

• Grant number: 22/00941-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2022
• End date: May 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Thermal Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Mauricio Silva Ferreira
• Grantee: Renan Cesar Castro Lima
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Human body thermoregulation is a finely controlled process - any change that deviates the temperature from its optimal range can have adverse consequences. Some of these include disturbance of motor, cognitive, physical systems and, in more severe cases, even lead to death. On the other hand, recent studies, which analyzed body data from astronauts on the International Space Station, indicated that human body temperature naturally rises via a mechanism, probably pro-inflammatory, in the space environment. It means that several activities may not be correctly performed, as cognitive, physical, and motor judgment may be impaired given the negative repercussions that the increase in temperature can cause in the body. Thus, it is proposed the development of a steady-state heat transfer model of the thermoregulatory and circulatory system capable of predicting the internal body temperature of astronauts exposed for a long time to the space environment inside the ISS, characterized by microgravity and radiation exposure.