I-Corps: Bio-inspired Underwater Surveillance Vehicle (BUSV)

该计划建立在NSF I/UCRC在提高光能和机械能收集效率方面取得的突破基础上：能量收集材料和系统中心（CEHMS）。太阳光和自然波振荡是为船上电池充电的有前途的能源。当前的光伏转换技术在材料利用率、长期稳定性、转换效率、能量存储密度以及最重要的成本竞争力（$/瓦特）方面具有挑战。染料敏化太阳能电池（DSSC）已被证明是更好的替代品，如果价格/性能比比较。DSSC可以吸收散射的太阳光，并将其有效地转化为电能。DSSC还可以在多云天气和低光照条件下工作。努力将DSSC模块与建议机器人的钟集成，而不影响划船推进机制。其次，非线性磁悬浮感应能量采集器将被纳入机器人的附件，以收集波能。该团队拥有开发仿生水下监视器（BUSV）所需的专业知识和愿望。I-Corps项目的结果将是技术演示和关于BUSV可行性的明确的去/不去决定。如果成功的话，一个由I-Corps努力产生的分拆公司将导致高科技的创造？高薪工作，为国民经济做出贡献。除了许多国防应用外，与水质传感、污染监测、化学品泄漏（如漏油清理）和机器人水族馆相关的民用行业也将受益于这项技术。

The program builds upon the breakthroughs made in improving the efficiency of light and mechanical energy harvesting at NSF I/UCRC: Center for Energy Harvesting Materials and Systems (CEHMS). Sun light and natural wave oscillations are promising source of energy for recharging the onboard batteries. Current photovoltaic conversion technologies have challenges in terms of material utilization, long term stability, conversion efficiency, energy storage density and most importantly cost competitiveness ($/Watt). Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have been shown to be better alternative if price/performance ratio is compared. DSSC can absorb diffused sunlight and can convert it efficiently into electricity. DSSCs can also work in cloudy weather and low-light conditions. Efforts will be made towards integration of the DSSC module with the bell of the proposes robot without affecting the rowing propulsion mechanism. Secondly, non-linear magnetic levitation based inductive energy harvester will be incorporated in the appendages of the robot to harvest the wave energy. The team has the expertise and knowledge and desire required to develop the Bio-inspired Underwater Surveillance Vehicle (BUSV). The outcome of the I-Corps project will be technology demonstration and a clear go/no go decision regarding viability of BUSV. If successful, a spin-off company resulting from the I-Corps effort will lead to creation of high tech ? high paying jobs and contribute to the national economy. In addition to many defense applications, civilian industries related to water quality sensing, pollution monitoring, chemical spill such as oil spills cleaning, and robotic aquariums will benefit from the proposed technology.