Water Vapor Sorption, Desorption, and Diffusion in Excised Skin: Part I. Technique

A gravimetric technique to study the sorption, desorption, and diffusion characteristics of water vapor in excised skin under dynamic conditions is described. The technique features a continuously recording microbalance and a humidity-generating apparatus which provides a stream of air with any given relative humidity. The diffusion coefficient is determined from the kinetics of sorption and desorption. The technique can be used to study other polymeric films, fibers, and powders.