THE AMERICAN SOCIETY
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CITATION:
Diver thermal protection is still one of the most limiting factors preventing successful completion of cold-water missions even though the U.S. Navy and commercial equipment developers have expended considerable research effort in the past. Dr. Nuckols' recently patented hydrogen catalytic heater, with the catalyst bed placed in the breathing circuit just upstream of a diver's mask or helmet, has proven to be an effective apparatus to warm and humidify diver's inspired gases in open-circuit, demand SCUBA systems and in semi-closed circuit systems. His hydrogen catalytic combustion water heater design has integrated this new technology into a heater design for whole body thermal protection. This heating technique will minimize the power and space requirements that must be dedicated to diver thermal protection within swimmer delivery vehicles, surface supported or free-swimming missions.
Dr. Nuckols' recent research in underwater breathing apparatus also yielded a versatile, passively-controlled, semi-closed, underwater breathing apparatus for deep diving applications that can be switched to closed-circuit mode during shallow water missions. This design would support the full range of Naval Special Warfare missions without the complexity and cost of electronically controlled closed circuit rebreathers. Taken together, these two recent accomplishments promise to greatly enhance operational safety and mission capabilities for the Navy Special Warfare community and they are quickly gaining attention from the commercial diving industry.
These notable achievements add to a long and distinguished record of research,
invention and publication in the field of underwater life support. Dr. Marshall
Nuckols is truly most deserving of the ASNE Solberg Award for 2000.