Breath of fresh air

An Israeli engineer has developed a breathing device that he claims will allow divers to dispense with oxygen tanks.

It could also be used to supply air to submarines and future underwater habitats such as hotels or scientific research facilities, according to developer Alan Bodner.

The technology collects the small quantities of air that are present in water, mimicking the way fish breathe. It has already attracted interest from the Israeli Navy, as well as diving equipment manufacturers, he said. The Israel Ministry of Industry and Commerce has provided finance for the project.

The use of oxygen tanks is the biggest single limitation on the amount of time a diver can stay underwater. As the tank empties, it also changes the diver’s balance and makes it harder to control movement. Refuelling tanks with oxygen is also a costly and timeconsuming process.

Nuclear submarines currently use electrolysis to obtain oxygen from water, though this requires large amounts of energy and makes such a system impractical for smaller vessels which must instead use oxygen tanks.