Seminar - Gareth Huxham - Bio-mimicry and its application to a Tidal In-Stream Energy Conversion (TISEC) device

Wednesday 16 April 2008, 1.10 - 1.55 pm
Civil Engineering Lecture Theatre 3

Abstract:

Harnessing clean green ocean energy is a key goal in achieving a sustainable future with a diverse renewable energy portfolio. Tidal energy represents a vast untapped resource of ocean energy. But how do we access this resource? Can we look to nature for inspiration?

Through the process of natural selection fish have evolved to posses highly efficient modes of underwater locomotion designed to enable high speeds, efficient long distance swimming and advanced manoeuvrability. Can we apply the characteristics of highly efficient fish swimming modes to develop new, high efficiency tidal stream energy conversion devices? In particular, through adaptive control can we maximise energy extraction of an oscillating bio-mimetic hydrofoil on a hinged lever-am in laminar and turbulent flows.