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

该计划建立在NSF I/UCRC：能源收集材料和系统中心(CEHMS)在提高光和机械能收集效率方面取得的突破的基础上。太阳光和自然波振荡是为车载电池充电的很有前途的能源。当前的光伏转换技术在材料利用率、长期稳定性、转换效率、储能密度以及最重要的成本竞争力(美元/瓦)方面存在挑战。如果对性价比进行比较，染料敏化太阳能电池(DSC)已被证明是更好的选择。DSSC可以吸收漫射的太阳光，并能有效地将其转化为电能。DSC还可以在多云天气和弱光条件下工作。将努力在不影响赛艇推进机构的情况下，将DSSC模块与Proposed机器人的铃铛集成在一起。其次，在机器人的附件中加入基于非线性磁悬浮的感应式能量采集器，实现对波浪能量的采集。该团队拥有开发生物灵感水下监视潜水器(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的生存能力的明确的通过/不通过的决定。如果成功，由i-Corps的努力产生的剥离公司将导致高科技的创造？提供高薪工作，为国家经济作出贡献。除了许多国防应用外，与水质传感、污染监测、化学品泄漏(如溢油清理)和机器人水族馆相关的民用行业将受益于拟议的技术。

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.