News
Underwater Cave Exploration just got a whole lot easier thanks to NEMO
Cave diving is, per attempt, the single most dangerous sport on Earth. The men and women who take it on are regularly faced with cave-ins, blackouts, and panic-inducing conditions. On average, 20 cave divers a year don’t come back from a dive.
Corey Jaskolski has been working on a project which aims to give cave divers an additional tool they can use to keep safe while in pursuit of their passion.
Jaskolski is the President of Hydro Technologies and also serves as a National Geographic Innovation Fellow. Using 3D printing technology, he is currently working on the development of a remotely operated vehicle that can assist with the exploration of underwater caves.
Previous versions of UROVs needed to be powered from the surface and required 400-foot-long cables, each a half an inch in diameter and made of heavy, solid steel to reach down into the depths. The NEMO carries its power supply on board, and though still tethered, requires only a thin, fiber-optic cable of less than 4 lbs in total weight to connect to the surface.Working with engineering students from Colorado State University and additive manufacturing experts from Solid Concepts, Jaskolski’s team built an Underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (UROV). The NEMO (Nautical Exploratory Modular Observer) was built using Fused Deposition Modeling and Selective Laser Sintering.
“There are great archeological teams unable to afford current UROVs,” said Jaskolski. “They can barely afford to travel out to these places for exploration. If we can make UROVs readily available, affordable, portable and easily replicable – and get them in the hands of the right people – then we will be able to make amazing discoveries in our lifetime.”
Jaskolski and his team knew they’d have to find a better way to build their dream UROV, so they turned to Solid Concepts.
“If everything had to be made by machining or molding without freedom to design one-off or two-offs, this would not have been possible,” he said. “It would have turned into months of machining and hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
Using 3D printing technology, the NEMO took just a few weeks to design, 3D print and ready for testing.
Michael Hake was the lead engineer on the NEMO team at CSU, and he says the process resulted in an easy-to-assemble package which allows all servos and thrusters to connect directly to the NEMO’s outer shell. That meant fewer total parts and manual assembly steps are involved.
“You can easily remove the shell without losing parts and reassemble when you reach your destination,” Hake says.
And the NEMO is more than a pretty face. It’s built to comfortably withstand depths of more than 60 meters.
Hake says that analytic testing has indicated that the NEMO might well function down to 190 meters. He adds that the team designed NEMO to be small enough that a pair of hikers can carry it to a given location, and that it could operate for more than 90 minutes without interruption.
Source: 3dprint.com
Whether you are a beginner or a professional diver – with the three new main regulators from DYNAMICNORD, everyone will find their favourite regulator. They all look super stylish.
Excellent performance with the TR-80
Quality and performance are the be-all and end-all for regulators. It is not for nothing that the TR stands for Tec Reg. The innovative design of the TR-80 guarantees absolute reliability – even in ice-cold waters.
Perfect breathing effort at 0.8 J/l / certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / structural design made of solid brass for best cold protection / membrane-compensated design with dry seal of the first stage / reduced exhalation effort thanks to optimized exhalation membrane and bubble deflector / adjustable Venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort / innovative design of the front cover prevents free-flow in strong currents or when diving with scooters / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 LP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Amazing underwater adventures with the IR-50
The IR-50 is the top regulator for advanced and experienced divers. Natural breathing is the essence of this regulator.
Ideal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / compensated membrane / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort/ outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
The Workhorse – our CS-30
For diving centres and diving beginners – the workhorse stands for strong construction, reliability and robustness. Perfect for your training.
Optimal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /recommended for diving in waters above 10 degrees / non-compensated piston / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) / outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 1 HP and 3 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Octopus OP-30
The OP-30 is the ideal addition to all DYNAMICNORD regulators. It is identical in construction to the CS-30.
The TR-80, IR-50, CS-30 (DIN & INT) regulators and the Octopus OP-30 are available from DYNAMICNORD dealers and in the online store.
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.
The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.
Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.
In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.
Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.
Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.
The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.
Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.
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