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Whole Room Calorimeters

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WHOLE ROOM CALORIMETERS

The facility includes two calorimeters located in 4 Riverside Circle at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC.

     

The respiration calorimeter facility includes one large room (9' x 12') and a smaller flex chamber (4' x 7') in a push-pull configuration to measure metabolic rate and relative substrate utilization of a human study subject with response time of a few minutes.

  • Accommodates adult studies up to 23 hours and moderate levels and duration of exercise.
  • Study subjects will be in the age range of adolescent to adult.
  • Study subjects will weigh between 30 and 150 kg (30 kg at rest: VO2=0.145l·min-1, VCO2=0.123 l·min-1, RQ=0.85).
  • Accommodates a 110 kg (fat free mass) person exercising at 30mL/kg/min for 60 minutes (VO2=3 l·min-1, VCO2 = 2.4 l·min-1, RQ=0.8).
  • Exercise levels will be at or below 80% max. Exercise duration will be 10-40 minutes.
  • Interior Dimensions: Width = 9’ (2.7 m); Length = 12’ (3.7 m); Height = 10’ (3.0 m); Volume = 30.0 m3.
  • Two large passthroughs for trays during extended study meals.
  • Bed, toilet, sink, desk, and internet connected smart TV.
  • Accommodates adult studies up to 6 hours and moderate levels and duration of exercise.
  • Study subjects will be in the age range of adolescent to adult.
  • Study subjects will weigh between 30 and 150 kg (30 kg at rest: VO2=0.145l·min-1, VCO2=0.123 l·min-1, RQ=0.85).
  • The flex will accommodate a 110 kg (fat free mass) person exercising at 30mL/kg/min for 20 minutes (VO2=3 l·min-1, VCO2 = 2.4 l·min-1, RQ=0.8).
  • Exercise levels will be at or below 80% max. Exercise duration will be 10-40 minutes.
  • Interior Dimensions: Width = 4’ (1.22 m); Length = 7’ (2.13 m); Height = 7’ 6” (2.29 m); Volume = 5.95 m3
  • One blood sampling/infusion port installed in door.
  • Bed, and internet connected smart TV.

Prior to scheduling please contact Facility Director Charlie Stylianos (kstylian@vt.edu) for safety and procedure training. 

  • The flex chamber can be scheduled in 1-hour increments.
  • The 24-hour chamber can be scheduled daily.

Scheduling use of the calorimeters is handled via a Google calendar. Please contact Alexandra DiFeliceantonio, facility faculty director (dife@vt.edu), to be added to the calendar.

Services

  • Linen service is provided for both chambers. 
  • Data are held on secure servers to be downloaded by researchers.

Protocols

  • Users must maintain contact with participants (visual or intercom) while the participant is in either chamber.
  • Users are responsible for tidying the chambers after use.
  • Custodial services will sweep and mop. If more frequent cleaning is required, please  start a conversation through the help system.

 

Whole room calorimeters: Room 2113, 4 Riverside Circle, Roanoke

Parking: During business hours, visitors may park in designated visitor parking places at the entrance to the parking garage at 2 Riverside Circle. Visitors may also park on the 2nd - 6th floors of the parking garage located at 5 Riverside Circle. On nights and weekends, visitors may park anywhere in the 5 Riverside parking garage, as well as the surface lot and parking deck. All parking is free.

Contacts

Facility Director
Charlie Stylianos
kstylian@vt.edu
540-231-6393

Facility Faculty Director
Alexandra DiFeliceantonio, Ph.D. 
dife@vt.edu
540-526-2285