Sea Veggies Nets

Background:

The marine red alga Porphyra (“laver”, “nori”) is the most valuable sea vegetable in the world, with the Japanese product alone representing over $2 billion (US) a year. Welsh laver bread is one of several traditional uses of Porphyra in Celtic cooking; nori is used in sushi and soups in Asian cooking. More recently, sale of fluorescent pigments (e.g., phycoerythrin) from Porphyra began; these pigments can be used to tag antibodies and other molecules used in biomedical research (from http://www.ccar.um.maine.edu/nori.html)

The goal on this project is to work to develop equipment which will allow nori to be grown off the coast of Maine with minimal labor inputs and in a way that ,minimizes other influences.  This project will focus on fabrication techniques which are suitable for use with biocompatible materials.  In particular advanced materials such as PVC and stainless steel will be combined to produce a low cost and durable system which -- has to move.

The barrier issues in the design of the system  is that the entire nori net system need to be put up out of the water for a length of time each week or two to kill off the undesirable growth.  Then, in an are with large tidal variation, the nori needs to be kept at a consistent depth below the surface of the water. 

 
Re-Revised Milestones
  • Proposal for modified milestones and initial deliverables: September 15, 2006 
  • Specification sheet developed in concert with supervisor (link): September 19, 2006
  • Develop three designs, one from technical lead, and two from team, compare and contrast.  Sketches and oral presentation to team on each design: September 19, 2006
  • Initial Design of ballast/float system. September 26, 2006
  • Complete sketches and order materials for test specimens of floats, lines and ballast for for feasibility test in sea water: September 26, 2006 
  • Operational model of a single flat complete and ready for testing : October 10, 2006
  • First web page goes live with introductory page and menu on left. : October 12, 2006, 2 pm.
  • Demonstrate motion of float system in ocean October 19, 2006
  • Redesign of floats and materials list for first round of work October 26, 2006
  • Complete drawing package and bill of materials for scale model: November 2, 2006
  • Milestone review: November 7, 2006 
  • Scale model complete based on Nevember 2 design package with revisions for manufacturability marked on drawing package: November 16, 2006. 
  • First tow test of scale model components and/or system in tow tank: November 21, 2006
  • Draft Midterm Report: December 5, 2006 
  • Tow tank instrumentation redesign for testing December 7, 2006
  • Revised tow tank test of model systems and components where appropriate: December 19, 2006
  • Control system design and test, on eaither full or slace model including valves and hoses in either scale or demo length: December 22, 2006 
  • Finalize all of the "FULL SCALE" design with all of the structural testing, final drawings, bill of materials. December 22, 2006 

·      Lab Cleanup: Maine Day, May 2, 2007 

  • Open House -- Review of Projects, May 3, 2007

 
Revised (not approved)

       

  • Proposal for modified milestones and initial deliverables: September 15, 2006 
  • Specification sheet developed in concert with supervisor: September 19, 2006
  • Collaborate design ideas and discuss direction that should be taken: September 19, 2006
  • Initial Design of ballast/float system. September 26, 2006
  • Test specimens of floats, lines and ballasts for feasibility in sea water September 26, 2006 
  • Mechanical Model of the system: October 10, 2006
  • First web page goes live with introductory page and menu on left. : October 12, 2006, 2 pm.
  • Demonstrate motion of float system in ocean October 19, 2006
  • Redesign of floats and materials list for first round of work October 26, 2006
  • Realistic design of scale model: November 2, 2006
  • Milestone review: November 7, 2006 
  • Production of scale model from initial design: November 16, 2006. 
  • Test of scale model components or system in tow tank: November 21, 2006
  • Draft Midterm Report: December 5, 2006 
  • Tow tank instrumentation redesign for testing December 7, 2006
  • Final tow tank test of model systems and components where appropriate: December 19, 2006
  • Control system design and test: December 22, 2006 
  • Finalize all of the "FULL SCALE" design with all of the structural testing, final drawings, bill of materials. December 22, 2006 

·         Lab Cleanup: Maine Day, May 2, 2007 

  • Open House -- Review of Projects, May 3, 2007
Initial Milestones
 
  • Proposal for modified milestones and initial deliverables: September 15, 2006
  • Specification sheet developed in concert with supervisor:
  • Test specimens of floats, lines and ballasts in sea water
  • First web page goes live with introductory page and menu on left.  Page must include resumes, individual photos and milestones: October 12, 2006, 2 pm.
  • Demonstrate motion of float in ocean
  • Redesign of floats and materials list for first round of work
  • Scale model design, using appropriate scaling for all components
  • Milestone review: November 7, 2006
  • Test of scale model components or system in two tank
  • Draft Midterm Report: December 5, 2006
  • Tow tank instrumentation redesign for testing
  • Final tow tank test of model systems and components where appropriate..
  • Drawing package complete with materials list for single net system
  • Lab Cleanup: Maine Day, May 2, 2007
  • Open House -- Review of Projects, May 3, 2007

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