About This Project

This project investigates the fabrication of low-cost, 3D printable smart buoys for monitoring the condition for a regenerative seaweed farm at Nazare in Portugal. The buoys focus on characterizing the marine environment at the biggest wave in the world.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

The way scientists observe the oceans has come a long way. In the past, they used to rely on direct measurements and expensive technologies, but things are getting smarter now. New devices and the Internet of Things (IoT) are making it possible to gather more accurate and detailed information over larger areas. For regenerative seaweed farms, there is a significant challenge in that the *soil* is constantly turning over and both the crops and conditions can be invisible. Low cost sensor platforms can assist farmers in understanding the ocean and enhancing their ability to respond to potential environmental threats that may impact the farm.

What is the significance of this project?

Producing low-cost smart buoys is crucial for the advancement of regenerative seaweed farms. These smart buoys can play a vital role in monitoring various environmental factors and biological conditions of aquaculture systems, especially in seaweed farming. By developing affordable technology that can remotely monitor and collect real-time data, seaweed farmers can optimize their production processes, reduce costs, and enhance the sustainability of seaweed cultivation. Additionally, the use of smart buoys can contribute to a better understanding of how seaweed interacts with its surrounding environment, ultimately supporting the regenerative nature of seaweed farms

What are the goals of the project?

We will create four low-cost prototype ocean buoys that can measure temperature, pH, salinity, wave height, and wind direction. The prototype will take about six months including the design, manufacturing, and initial testing. Our plan has two main stages: first, we will lab-test the buoy to make sure it can measure conditions accurately in controlled environments.

The second stage will involve testing the buoys in the real environment at the largest wave in the world. We will place multiple buoys in different areas and monitor their performance for three months. This will help us understand how well the buoys work in real-world conditions and how well they can help with seaweed farming operations.