SBIR Phase II: A nature-based nearshore floating infrastructure solution for coastal adaptation

SBIR第二阶段项目的更广泛影响是帮助管理沿海城市的环境变化。目前，沿海基础设施社区在支持生态健康和基于社区的共同利益的有效解决方案方面存在缺口，而不是传统的灰色基础设施，如海堤、护堤或结构性填土。该项目通过以可靠和持久的漂浮生物质为基础的沿海保护模块网络的新的全面试验性实施来弥补这一差距。拟议的项目开发了一种动态的、注重细节的科学方法和技术建模。该项目将展示一个相互连接的、锚定的植物生物质模块网络如何能够抑制波能、吸收水污染物，并为沿海城市创造一个引人入胜的社区空间。拟议的SBIR第二阶段项目的技术创新是：(A)基于生物和活植物的新材料工程方法，锚定在一个六角形阵列中并相互连接；(B)一个完整的数值预测建模套件，用于模拟大型此类模块网络的生物地球化学效应、流体动力学网络效应和水动力效应；(C)一个功能齐全的原型网络，用于研究物理行为和影响。该项目包括五个独立的实验目标：(1)广泛的单元原型、重新设计和监测，以评估制造商的材料和生物行为随时间的推移，(2)单个单元和网络影响的生态监测，从而开发出预测的生物地球化学模型，(3)将物理波浪水槽实验室结果转换为预测的海岸环境模拟模型，(4)对全尺寸实验网络原型进行水动力学分析，以及(5)开发大规模生产和部署的技术方法。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact of this SBIR Phase II project is to help manage environmental change in coastal cities. Currently, a gap exists in the coastal infrastructure community for an effective solution that supports ecological health and community-based co-benefits over traditional gray infrastructure, such as seawalls, berms, or structured fill. This project addresses that gap through a novel full-scale experimental implementation of a reliable and durable network of floating biomass-based modules for coastal protection. The proposed project develops a dynamic, detail-oriented scientific approach and technical modeling. This project will demonstrate how an interconnected, anchored network of vegetated biomass modules can dampen wave energy, absorb water pollutants, and create an engaging community space for coastal cities.The technical innovations of the proposed SBIR Phase II project are: (A) a new material engineering approach for seaworthy floating modules based on biomass and living plants, anchored in a hexagonal array and interconnected; (B) a full numerical predictive modeling suite to simulate biogeochemical effects, fluid dynamic network effects, and hydrodynamic effects of large such networks of modules; and (C) a fully functional prototype network to study physical behavior and effects. This project consists of five separate experimental objectives: (1) extensive unit prototyping, redesign and monitoring to assess manufacturer material and biological behavior over time, (2) ecological monitoring of individual unit and network impacts leading to the development of a predictive biogeochemical model, (3) translation of physical wave tank lab results into a predictive coastal environment simulation model, (4) hydrodynamic analysis of a full-scale experimental network prototype, and (5) development of technical methods for production and deployment at scale.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.