Tyndall researchers conduct scientific demonstrations using under-water systems

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kirsten Wicker
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Researchers at Air Force Research Laboratory recently conducted scientific demonstrations here using an under-water biologically-driven system designed to support security and environmental monitoring.

The program's primary objective is to develop a versatile platform that operates without the use of conventional power supplies. The trials took place in the emerald waters off Tyndall's shores in depths up to 10 meters. A previous system was tested in trials in Sattahip, Thailand by the Office of Naval Research, Naval Research Laboratory Reserve Program.

AFRL researchers recently partnered with members from the NRL for another round of testing, referred to as demonstrations, on several devices at once and recording their data right here at Tyndall. The devices can be applied to various requirements, such as, detection of motion and acoustic signatures, identifying chemical and biological agents, and monitoring nuclear and radiological threats.

"We are looking to expand on lessons learned from Thailand to our tests at Tyndall to gain a better understanding of how we can apply the environmentally friendly technology to aid defense strategies," said Dr. Glenn Johnson, principal investigator of AFRL Microbiology and Applied Biochemistry research team.

The demonstrations contain two biological components. The first allows the system to submerge and surface using the gasses' bacteria release.

"Essentially, the system is harvesting the metabolic by-products of the bacteria, which in effect, cause the device to become buoyant and rise and fall in the water from the gas created by bacteria as they break down their food," Dr. Johnson said.

The second component is a fuel cell that generates electricity via the bacterial metabolism and enzyme-catalyzed reactions.

"The system is shaped like a basic cylindrical container and is called a Zero Power Ballast Control," said Dr. Justin Biffinger, Ph.D., Navy Research Laboratory chemist. "The device is designed to convert chemical energy to electrical power, using biological gasses to provide buoyancy, instead of using a conventional motor."

"Our intention is to design a product that uses zero power from other sources other than biological processes, has a low to zero environmental foot-print and can be left unattended to collect and process data," he said.

Over the course of five days, AFRL and NRL scientists monitored the components and collected and recorded their data. At times, researchers even had to get in the water and dive down to inspect the units to ensure they were working properly.

"The ultimate goal is to one day be able to produce, through biological means, the power needed to drive under-water electronics such as sensors," said Dr. Johnson. "The research is cutting edge. This is the fourth and most ambitious demonstration we've done on these systems so we're excited about the possibilities."

During the August trial titled Emerald Raptor, researchers from AFRL, NRL, and the University of New Mexico used six hybrid fuel cells and four zero power ballasts in the demonstrations conducted in the bay between Shell Island and the Tyndall peninsula. Additional demonstrations may be scheduled to further examine the details and reporting concepts of the system.