Alternative Energy Harvesting for Small Watercraft Navy SBIR FY2011.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2011.2 Topic No.: N112-128 Topic Title: Alternative Energy Harvesting for Small Watercraft Proposal No.: N112-128-0811 Firm: Neodynetics Corporation 5621 Burlingame Ave. Buena Park, California 90621 Contact: Weixing Lu Phone: (310) 592-3145 Web Site: http://www.neodynetics.com/ Abstract: Ocean wave power is an enormous renewable resource estimated to possess energy densities 15-20 times higher than that of wind or solar. Yet, it has been almost completely untapped in practical, cost effective applications. To overcome the limitations of past technologies and address the Navy's requirements, we propose to develop an innovative new approach to harvesting this energy and converting it directly to electric power for use onboard unmanned lightweight watercraft. The generated power can be used for propulsion and to supply electronic systems onboard, thereby extending watercraft range and operational capability. Phase I of the project will develop and validate the details of our energy harvesting system concept. Our approach will require assembly of special materials using nano-fabrication techniques that our team has pioneered in past work to produce the uniform, multilayered thin films necessary to achieve high levels of power generation. Our optimized design is expected to reach power densities at least two orders of magnitude higher than previous ocean wave harvesting technologies and to provide a system with superior durability, scalability and cost-effectiveness. The proposed technology will lay the groundwork for many future military and commercial energy harvesting systems. Benefits: The system planned for development represents an important advance in ocean wave energy harvesting technology that can set the stage for highly cost effective maritime devices with self-powering capabilities. Many current maritime systems require battery power with periodic, costly and time consuming battery change-outs to maintain operations. The proposed technology can reduce or eliminate those requirements by directly converting the kinetic energy of ocean wave motion to electric power. Commercial benefits will be derived from many types of applications where the kinetic energy of ocean wave motion is sufficient to generate the required levels of power. Applications can vary from small power requirements such as sensors and wireless communicators, to scaled-up requirements of autonomous watercraft propulsion, sonobuoys, beacon markers and emergency equipment. The market demand has greatly increased over the past several years to provide devices that can automatically power themselves from their environment. The proposed technology can open the door to reducing battery size and increasing operational lifetimes in many scenarios. Examples include remote wireless sensor networks, imbedded systems for tracking marine mammal migration, maritime electronics of all kinds, and a variety of shipboard equipment. Future scaled-up systems may even hold potential as a source of clean renewable utility grid power from the sea. Return