Design-Build 3 – Solar-powered Buoy

• Apply principles of project management, design, and prototyping to meet a defined technical goal within given constraints.
• Use the finite element method software COMSOL Multiphysics to perform numerical modeling with the goal of predicting and optimizing the buoy design.
• Design a PV-battery system suitable for long-term autonomous operation.
• Perform simulations of solar energy and battery consumption for sizing components.
• Apply material selection principles and select suitable materials for prototyping.
• Construct a prototype using 3D printing, electronic components, and programming.
• Manage small projects and ensure on-time completion of deliverables.
• Assess the safety of lab activities and follow safety procedures.
• Evaluate the performance of the prototype based on energy measurements and performance under realistic environmental conditions and compare the experimental results with model predictions.
• Present the design, construction, and testing of a prototype process in a clear manner and reflect on learnings and potential improvements.

Students will apply basic design principles, material selection, electronics engineering, programming, and numerical simulations to design a solar-powered buoy. Students will work in groups of six to design, build, and test a buoy that is self-powered and performs an environmental monitoring activity such as measuring water temperature, ocean current, or wave height. System modeling and design are crucial to achieving a buoy that can withstand ocean conditions and remain powered for extended periods. Students will learn how to go from a novel concept to a prototype design.

This course is a 3-week intensive design-build course. Students work in groups of six to design a solar-powered buoy and build a functional prototype. The prototype will be created using 3D printing and Arduino microcontrollers, and students will test their prototypes in a realistic or simulated environment. During the course, there will be a few introductory lectures, while most of the course is devoted to hands-on activities related to designing, building, and testing the prototype.

This course is part of the mandatory study plan for BSc in General Engineering and will build on knowledge gathered from the previous two design-build courses. Only students from BSc in General Engineering can take this course. It is an intensive full-time course over three weeks, where the students’ attendance in mandatory activities is required to pass the course and will be monitored.

Please be aware that due to the risk of harmful effects you can NOT follow this course if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you have questions regarding the above, please contact the course responsible.

Minimum: 10.

Please be aware that this course will only be held if the required minimum number of participants is met. You will be informed 8 days before the start of the course, whether the course will be held.