EPS projects spring 2024

Supervisor: Samuel Ruiz Capel, PhD Candidate

Task: 

Design, build, and test simple prototype of moving bulbous bows. This project is a continuation of the same EPS project for Fall, 2023. Students will continue with the already built prototype of a scaled reference-ship, making improvements, and changing parts to test their own designs.

Background:

Traditionally, bulbs have been built with steel, which means they have constant length and shape and can only work in optimal conditions for the designed-for speed. A conventionally shaped bow causes a wave crest, and a bulb forms a wave trough, cancelling or reducing both waves and thus, ship resistance. 

This cancelation mainly depends on the vessel speed and bulb length and shape.

This project proposes studying an alternative way to build the bulbous bow of a ship, providing it with the ability to change its shape and dimensions. This will improve the performance of a vessel related to resistance to motion and seakeeping, for the whole range of speed, and operating and environmental conditions.

It is proposed to study different concepts for the smart bulbous bow (fast prototyping), and to build a scaled prototype based on the optimal concept (with the 3D printers at OsloMet MakerSpace) that will include sensors managed with ARDUINO to be tested in water. Numerical analysis will also be performed to study structural, hydrodynamic and mechanical properties. 

Skills:

Marine/Naval engineering, mechanical engineering, product design, electronics, ARDUINO, programming, CAD and 3D printing, CFD/FEM software, curiosity and willingness to work on this hands-on oriented project! 

Supervisor: Sam Woodford, assistant professor

Engineering has taken an increased inspiration from origami in recent years. 

Designs for new solar panels for the international space station involved using special folding patterns to allow the panels to fit into a regular sized rocket, but then deploy to full size on the station with minimal involvement from the crew on the station. 

Such designs have improved transportation efficiency, decreased development time and increased the safety for people involved.

The task for this semester is for students to come up with another application for a ‘pop-up’ style product that has a benefit either commercially or to society. A ‘proof-of-concept’ prototype is expected as part of the deliverables.

Supervisor: Sam Woodford, assistant professor

In order to understand and protect our oceans and fjords, more companies are turning to underwater-sensor devices to gather data, such as underwater cameras. Data collections in some circumstances can be for periods for months or even years. 

Over these time periods, the growth and development of biological fouling — biofouling — is a major issue. This biofouling gradually reduces the effectiveness of the sensors.

Some research has been done into different methods to slow the build-up of biofouling, with mechanical wipers found to be the most effective. However even these suffered from their own biofouling and lose efficiency over time.

The task for the students is to develop a testing procedure to measure the effect of biofouling on wiper mechanisms and to develop a prototype mechanism to reduce this biofouling.

Supervisor: Vahid Hassani, professor

Design a proof-of-concept for an electronic surfboard with a lifting-foil — e-foil surfing. 

These systems have propulsion and a lifting-foil (or foils) below the surface, and a board with batteries and controllers above water. When in use, the lifting-foil will ensure that the board is lifted free of the water. 

Commercial systems that can be used for surfing exists. Your challenge is to create a proof-of-concept for an e-foil surfer that can be built with commercially available components.

Supervisor: Henry Mainsah, professor

There’s been an explosion in the number of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in our homes. The makers of these devices promise that through automations, virtual assistants, and machine-learning algorithms, AI can make homes more efficient and give you back valuable time. 

Virtual voice assistants can screen calls for users, and your HVAC system can schedule maintenance based on your specific schedule and availability, using data gathered from the devices.

However, there are reasons for caution. Data is gathered, and users have – and is offered – little knowledge about how these systems work, how data flows, and what risks and vulnerabilities users are exposed to when they introduce AI driven systems and devices in their homes.

An ongoing research project titled, RELINK, based at Consumption Research Norway, Oslo Metropolitan University, is currently examining how ordinary users can be empowered to understand and challenge AI driven decision-making systems embedded in the devices they use in their everyday life.

The Relink project challenge students to create prototypes of mechanisms that enable users to understand, contest and alter AI driven decision-making systems embedded in chosen smart home devices. Students might demonstrate this mechanism through redesigning/ reverse engineering existing smart home devices or through a separate device.

The expected final delivery, in addition to the report, may be in the form of drawings, blueprints, video, or any other appropriate form that demonstrates their suggested improvements.