Plankton powered robotic subs set to uncover ocean's mysteries...

3 replies

Wed, 07/01/2009 - 13:34

Thorizan

Joined: 04/25/2008

Besides just cool technology and application, a seastead would be a logical jumping off point for these.

(You will need a subscription to see the entire article, but even the first few paragraphs get the mind a-racing.)

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19125715.900-plankton-could-power-robotic-submarines.html

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19125715.800-swarm-of-subs-set-to-uncover-the-oceans-mysteries.html

Thoughts?

Thu, 07/02/2009 - 09:37

Carl Pålsson

Joined: 04/22/2008

I think some US military

I think some US military branch is working on a foraging robot for surveillance etc. Basically it will autonomously harvest branches and biomass and burn it to generate energy. Is this something similar?

Thu, 07/02/2009 - 20:05

thief

Joined: 06/08/2009

I find it vaguely

I find it vaguely interesting that, no matter how relevant or interesting an article is, the number of people who respond to it is almost a direct function of the number of interesting images it contains.

- Nick

Thu, 07/02/2009 - 17:06

Melllvar

Joined: 05/21/2009

I wonder how the

I wonder how the NOAA DSV fleet is coming along, since the article was dated Sept. 2006. Couldn't find much about it. From the NOAA website it appears that they use DSVs a lot, but nothing about a coordinated fleet of them being in the works. Too bad, I really like the idea. Here's a link to their ocean technology page (not much good stuff though): www.research.noaa.gov/oceans/t_technology.html

Also, found this, about their underwater habitat off Florida: http://www.uncw.edu/aquarius/