Image from work supported by the National Science Foundation's (NSF)
Ocean Observatories Initiative, a major NSF facility
Image from work supported by the National Science Foundation's (NSF)
Ocean Observatories Initiative, a major NSF facility
3newable is developing a small-scale wave energy converter (WEC) as well as a biofouling inhibitor.
The wave energy converter utilizes the wave-driven motion of a marine buoy to generate electricity in order to power equipment on the buoy. That equipment could be making oceanographic measurements, providing Internet service along the surface of the ocean, illuminating aids to maritime navigation, feeding fish in an aquaculture pen, or many other applications.
The biofouling inhibitor uses far ultraviolet light to prevent biofouling, the growth of unwanted life forms, from disrupting the function of oceanographic equipment and other marine sensors.
3newable’s equipment will increase the amount of time between (very costly) ship voyages to service marine buoys, reducing expenses, emissions and ecological damage. Our wave energy converter, together with solar panels and wind generators, provides the power needed to keep ocean observation equipment running.
Even with sufficient renewable power, an oceanography buoy may still require frequent servicing due to biofouling on instrumentation. Chemical anti-biofoulants such as tributyltin are still allowed in many oceanography installations, but they are highly toxic in the environment and do not degrade rapidly. Light at certain ultraviolet wavelengths can inhibit the growth of biofouling without the use of chemical anti-biofoulants.
3newable's research is supported by an SBIR award from the US Department of Energy.
The image at right is from work supported by the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Ocean Observatories Initiative, a major facility fully funded by the NSF © WHOI.
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