What silent killer in the Pacific theater was Telkes's OSRD assignment focused on mitigating during WWII?

Answer

Dehydration

Telkes was reassigned to mitigate dehydration among air crews shot down over the open ocean, requiring a device to convert saltwater into potable water.

What silent killer in the Pacific theater was Telkes's OSRD assignment focused on mitigating during WWII?
inventionWarqueensolardesalination