Australian R&D project looking to optimize wave energy for USV propulsion

Research & Development

February 21, 2024, by Zerina Maksumic

Australian Composites Manufacturing (ACM CRC), Ocius Technology, and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) have set out through an R&D project to optimize the use of wave energy for propulsion, utilizing energy for underwater flippers for unmanned surface vessels (USVs).

Bluebottle-class USVs, developed by Ocius, offer continuous maritime surveillance capabilities for various sectors including oil and gas, security, scientific research, as well as maritime defense.

According to ACM CRC, as a fully renewable surface vessel powered by solar, wind, and wave energy, Ocius Bluebottle operates well but has limitations when used in strong winds.

The Bluebottle utilizes wave energy through a fiber-reinforced laminated composite rudder, or ‘flipper,’ at the front of the vessel, which provides passive thrust.

This R&D project aims to design and produce a next-generation composite flipper for these vessels to enhance propulsion efficiency, enabling operation in challenging weather conditions and states of the sea.

“The tailorable stiffness of composite materials provides a unique opportunity to achieve additional thrust from flapping and morphing structures,” said Ganga Prusty, Director of Research at ACM CRC.

“Our R&D project exemplifies the CRC’s vision to unite its composite industry partners with ACM’s world-class academic researchers and deliver innovation at the forefront in automated manufacturing of advanced composites.”

ACM said that the project will leverage an innovative automated manufacturing procedure, integrating multidisciplinary techniques including scientific computing, optimization, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing.

“The ‘rudder flipper’ came out of biomimicry and was developed by trial and error into a third method of propulsion on a Bluebottle Uncrewed Surface Vessel besides sun and wind,” said Robert Dane, CEO of Ocius.

“It also acts as a ‘sea anchor’ in bad weather pointing the bow into high seas which can go on for days. So the flipper needs to have properties of strength, resilience, and memory and this 3-year project with ACM CRC will put scientific rigor around the design and manufacture and turn it into a real ‘superpower’.”

ACM said that simulation technology development could extend to aero and hydrodynamic simulations of composite structures, like surfboards with improved design efficiency and manufacturing guidance for durable flippers and similar products.