Applications

Marine aquaculture is a process that has been developed due to technological advancement to primarily breed, raise, and harvest aquatic organisms. This includes fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants for human consumption. This is similar to farming on land but in underwater habitats such as our ocean’s waters.

Natural disasters, unfortunately, are a routine part of Earth’s climate. With the events of global warming, the number of natural disasters will increase yearly. While we cannot prevent natural disasters, we can prepare to offer aid to those that are affected by events like hurricanes, and tsunamis.

Isolated or Remote communities are towns and villages where utility services are not available. This includes water, sewer, electrical, and gas lines. In these locations importation is usually the only way to get access to these vital services.

The ocean’s resources can also be utilized to grow algae. Algae is found in many different sizes from macroalgae that is commonly known as seaweed to small single celled organisms called microalgae or cyanobacteria. Algae can be grown in large rectangular tanks called raceways.

Seawater contains copious amounts of minerals, organic molecules, rare/precious earth metals, and dissolved gases. These materials are vital to many on shore fields such as technology, medicine, and commerce.

Navigational aids on the ocean can be a signal or markers such as lighthouses or day beacons. Some other types of navigational aids used are buoys, floats, and airhorns. The ocean contains thousands of these different types of navigational aids; all of which serve a specific purpose at a desired location.

Ocean observation involves using tools like sensors to measure different aspects of the ocean to better understand the effects of Earth’s climate. Every aspect of the ocean can be tracked, like variables associated with the ocean’s surface. This includes sea level, ocean color, and even undersea measurements such as marine ecosystem health, chemical pollutants, and temperature. These variables can be measured by ships, buoys, and even satellites.

Seawater desalination is the process that takes away mineral components from saline (salt) water. This process allows for communities who would otherwise import freshwater, the opportunity to obtain fresh drinking water from coastal regions.

Underwater sensors come in many different varieties. When traveling underwater, many factors such as pressure and depth need to be considered in order to preserve equipment, contain artifacts, and protect the environment and marine life. Each sensor provides a specific role in keeping any AUV and submerged structures safe.

Underwater vehicle charging uses a wireless charging system which is also known as an induction system, this phenomenon was first discovered by Michael Faraday in 1831. This system uses electromagnetic induction to provide electricity to portable equipment that can’t be plugged into a power source consistently.