Bionic Adaptive Stretchable Materials for WEC (BASM-WEC)
Abstract
Wave Energy Converters (WECs) transform the kinetic and/or potential energy of ocean waves into electricity. Among different types of WECs technologies, none of them achieves economic competitiveness. The main challenges of commercialisation of existing WECs arise from the devices' low-performance efficiency and the WEC system's vulnerability under harsh sea conditions. Inspired by aquatic animals' flexible body and fins, a range of adaptive, flexible materials have attracted attention in WEC development in the past decade. The specific characteristic of such material is that its shape deforms adapting to the loading applied to it. There are several benefits using a flexible material as part of WEC structures.
A multidisciplinary team of researchers from the University of Strathclyde in collaboration with National Manufacturing Institute Scotland in Lightweight Manufacturing Centre (NMIS-LMC) will develop a methodology to address different challenges regarding design and manufacturing of Bionic Adaptive Stretchable Materials for WEC (BASM-WEC). This will be supported by industry partner and research institution, e.g. Wave-venture, ORE Catapult Wave & Tidal Energy Sector, National Subsea Research Initiative in UK, National Ocean Technology Centre in China, and SBM Offshore based in France.
To achieve the main objectives, this project will develop a hydro-elastic analysis tool based on advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics techniques to provide a robust analysis method for prescribing the detailed materials specification required by the desired WEC functionalities and allow the benchmarking of the lower-order rapid models developed in parallel for device optimization. Tailoring of material functions and performance will be achieved through the concept of both composite and hybrid materials. The former involves modifying flexible parent materials with secondary addition of dissimilar materials (e.g. functional fillers and fibres), and the latter involves developing a multi-layered structure with each layer serving different functions. Together, these techniques will guide new material development through fine-tuning material properties by targeted material selection and modification. The complex physics and effect of flexible material will be crosschecked by simulation method and laboratory testing at the small scale device level, providing new insight. Knowledge of complex coupled hydro-elastic models will be beneficial to general offshore renewable energy.
A multidisciplinary team of researchers from the University of Strathclyde in collaboration with National Manufacturing Institute Scotland in Lightweight Manufacturing Centre (NMIS-LMC) will develop a methodology to address different challenges regarding design and manufacturing of Bionic Adaptive Stretchable Materials for WEC (BASM-WEC). This will be supported by industry partner and research institution, e.g. Wave-venture, ORE Catapult Wave & Tidal Energy Sector, National Subsea Research Initiative in UK, National Ocean Technology Centre in China, and SBM Offshore based in France.
To achieve the main objectives, this project will develop a hydro-elastic analysis tool based on advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics techniques to provide a robust analysis method for prescribing the detailed materials specification required by the desired WEC functionalities and allow the benchmarking of the lower-order rapid models developed in parallel for device optimization. Tailoring of material functions and performance will be achieved through the concept of both composite and hybrid materials. The former involves modifying flexible parent materials with secondary addition of dissimilar materials (e.g. functional fillers and fibres), and the latter involves developing a multi-layered structure with each layer serving different functions. Together, these techniques will guide new material development through fine-tuning material properties by targeted material selection and modification. The complex physics and effect of flexible material will be crosschecked by simulation method and laboratory testing at the small scale device level, providing new insight. Knowledge of complex coupled hydro-elastic models will be beneficial to general offshore renewable energy.
Organisations
- University of Strathclyde (Lead Research Organisation)
- UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD (Collaboration)
- University of Trento (Collaboration)
- Wave Energy Scotland (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- University of Plymouth (Collaboration)
- Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON (Collaboration)
- National Subsea Research Initiative (Project Partner)
- National Ocean Technology Centre (Project Partner)
- Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (Project Partner)
Publications
Naderi Kalali E
(2023)
A critical review of the current progress of plastic waste recycling technology in structural materials
in Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry
| Title | Experimental and numerical study of flexible wave energy converters (WEC) |
| Description | Defining the functional specification for the Oscillating Water Column (OWC) is considered one of the main objectives of the structural integrity part of this project. This aim can be achieved using optimisation analysis combined with finite element simulations. On the other hand, various experiments have been carried out on the OWC using the water tank test and dry test rig to enhance its durability and efficiency. Moreover, the experimental findings are combined with finite element analysis and optimisation techniques to establish a precise hyperelastic model for the membrane component. This approach, known as inverse material characterisation, involves generating an accurate hyperelastic model for the elastomer part of the structure based on a similar deformation mode. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Preparing a functional specification for a wave energy converter can provide a roadmap for the design, development, and testing of the device, which can help to ensure that it performs as expected and meets the desired outcomes. On the other hand, conducting laboratory tests offers several advantages, including improving the durability and efficiency of the OWC, validating the numerical simulation, and developing a precise hyperelastic model for the device's elastomer component. This optimisation procedure aids in discovering a more effective model for the membrane part of the structure, leading to enhanced accuracy of the numerical simulation. |
| Title | High-resolution numerical analysis tool for flexible wave energy converters |
| Description | Based on computational fluid dynamics and three-dimensional finite element methods, a high-fidelity numerical simulation tool for flexible wave energy converters (WEC) has been developed. The flexible deformation of structure is coped with an open-source three-dimensional (3D) finite element code CalculiX. The fluid flow around the WEC is solved by a two-phase CFD solver [3] developed based on OpenFOAM. The two-way coupling between OpenFOAM and CalculiX is achieved by using preCICE (precise Code Interaction Coupling Environment), which is a multi-physics code coupling tool. In addition, six-degree-of-freedom module is added into the tool to account for the influence of the motions on the performance of the flexible WECs. We are continuously improving the numerical analysis tool, for the latest progress please refer to the project website: https://basm-wec.org/ |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | This coupling analysis tool is of great significance for the optimization design of flexible wave energy converters. |
| Title | Manufacturing of new materials using structured membranes in a sandwich type configuration |
| Description | This new method contributes to implementing active materials in flexible WEC structures. The material changes the mechanical response based on the amount of deformation produced by the wave conditions. The concept implements different types of patterns on elastomeric membranes where the geometry of the patterns is modified as the membrane is deformed, leading to an alignment of the pattern with the load. As the pattern is aligned, the stiffness of the structure increases withstanding stronger wave conditions. On the other hand, when the wave conditions are mild the pattern has more degrees of freedom and the structure can adapt better to the waves. The concept will increase the survivability of the device and energy efficiency through a better distribution of the stiffness in the structure based on the wave conditions. We are continuously improving the material development, for the latest progress please refer to the project website: https://basm-wec.org/ |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The technology is on TLR 3, experimental work is under the carry-on and numerical models have been developed with good agreement. Patterns have been successfully manufactured using 3D printing and water jet cutting. If the technology is proven, it will contribute to a better adaptation of the devices on the sea, increasing the energy efficiency and the survivability of the equipment. |
| Description | Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies |
| Organisation | Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Numerical simulations of flexible oscillating water column wave energy converter carried by University of Strathclyde provided more detailed fluid-structure interaction details to Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies for their flexible wave energy converters' study. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies partner gave their suggestions on the structural design and flexible material selection of flexible wave energy converters. |
| Impact | Joint conference publication |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | University of Oxford |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Both experiment and CFD modelling carried by University of Strathclyde provided useful information to University of Oxford for their study of flexible wave energy converters. |
| Collaborator Contribution | University of Oxford partner contributed to their expertise in model test design. |
| Impact | Joint conference publication |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | University of Plymouth |
| Organisation | University of Plymouth |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | CFD-FEA analysis tool developed by University of Strathclyde provided useful information to University of Plymouth for their study of flexible tubed WEC. |
| Collaborator Contribution | University of Plymouth partner contributed their expertise in reduced analysis model of flexible tube WEC. |
| Impact | Joint conference publication |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | University of Southampton |
| Organisation | University of Southampton |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | CFD-FEA model proposed by University of Strathclyde provided a high-fidelity method to University of Southampton for the study of Anaconda wave energy converter. |
| Collaborator Contribution | University of Southampton partner contributed their expertise in reduced model of Anaconda wave energy converter. |
| Impact | Joint conference publication |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | University of Trento |
| Organisation | University of Trento |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Numerical simulations of flexible oscillating water column wave energy converter carried by University of Strathclyde provided more detailed fluid-structure interaction details to University of Trento for their flexible wave energy converters' study. |
| Collaborator Contribution | University of Trent partner contributed their expertise in the model test of flexible oscillating water column wave energy converters. |
| Impact | Joint conference publication |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Wave Energy Scotland |
| Organisation | Wave Energy Scotland |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Both experiment and numerical modelling results carried by University of Strathclyde provided useful information to WEC. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Wave Energy Scotland partner gave their suggestions on power take-off design of flexible wave energy converters. |
| Impact | Joint conference publication |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Checkmate Flexible Engineering visited Kelvin Hydrodynamic Laboratory in December 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Checkmate flexible engineering's partners visited the Kelvin Hydrodynamic Laboratory and presented the ongoing Anaconda model test. The team members introduced the high-resolution numerical analysis tool developed based on CFD-FEA method and the numerical simulation results of the Anaconda model. The two sides conducted in-depth discussions on the structural design of the Anaconda model, testing of flexible materials, and further cooperation on the wave tank tests. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Kick-off meeting of BASM-WEC project in November 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | All team members participated in the kick-off meeting and introduced their objectives and work plans. Feedback from industry partners were collected and discussed. Next plan was made for the study of specific WEC device. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Online meeting with Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies partners in October 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Team members and partners from Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies had in-depth discussions on the use of flexible materials and related key issues in the flexible wave energy converter, including the impact of pre-stretching and thickness of the flexible membrane on output power, the response of the flexible membrane, DEG and PTO, etc. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Online meeting with University of Bologna partners in July 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Team members and partners from the University of Bologna had in-depth discussions on various issues related to the model testing of the flexible wave energy converters, including the material of the flexible membrane, model scaling, pre-stretching of flexible materials, and the compressibility of air in the chamber, which laid a good foundation for the next step of conducting wave tank tests of the flexible wave energy converters. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Online meeting with University of Plymouth in August 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | PI and team members participated in an online discussion with partners from the University of Southampton. PI presented the numerical simulation results of the Anaconda model. Both sides had in-depth discussions on the details of the numerical simulation of the Anaconda model. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Online meeting with University of Southampton partners in October 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | PI and team members participated in an online discussion with a partner from the University of Southampton. The numerical simulation results of the Anaconda model was presented. The two sides had in-depth discussions and exchanges on the numerical simulation details of the Anaconda model, especially its resonance response. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Online meeting with University of Trento partner in February 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | PI and team members had an online meeting with University of Trento partner in February 2022. PI introduced the tasks, objectives, and current progress of the BASM-WEC project to the partners from the University of Trento. In-depth discussions and exchanges were conducted with the partners on the details of conducting model tests of flexible wave energy devices in the water tank, laying a good foundation for the next stage of water tank tests. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Online meeting with Wave Venture Ltd partners in July 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | The Wave Venture partner introduced to team members the flexible wave energy converter simulation software they developed and explained the related theories used in the software. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | PI and team members attended Wave Energy Scotland annual conference at National Museum of Scotland in May 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | PI and team members attended Wave Energy Scotland annual conference at National Museum of Scotland in May 2022. A poster on project progress was presented at the annual meeting, followed by in-depth discussions with partners and learning about wave energy policy. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | PI and team members attended workshop for project communication at University of Oxford in March 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | PI and team members attended workshop for project communication at University of Oxford in March 2022. A technique talk about the progress of BASM-WEC project was given. The results of flexible material tests, wave tank tests and numerical simulations were presented. Common interested problems such as flexible wave energy converters, flexible material, etc. were discussed. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | PI attended SuperGen ORE annual assembly online in January 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | PI attended the SuperGen ORE annual assembly online and gave a brief presentation about the BASM-WEC project. The audiences sparked questions and discussion on the flexible material of wave energy converters. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Team members attended the 2nd CCP-WSI Hackathon workshop at University of Exeter in June 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Team members attended the 2nd CCP-WSI Hackathon workshop at University of Exeter in June 2022. Team members and the WSI community worked together on coupling computational continuum mechanics code. Team members received advanced training and advice in developing coupled software from experts in the field, giving an unparalleled opportunity to produce sustainable, open-source codes and research outputs, as well as established collaborations with colleagues from the wider community. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Team members attended the SuperGen ORE Autumn assembly at the University of Oxford in September 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Team members attended the SuperGen ORE Autumn assembly at the University of Oxford in September 2022. A talk on the progress of the project was given, which showed results of the wave tank tests, the development of new materials, and 3D fluid-structure interaction simulation results of the flexible oscillating water column. In-depth discussions were held with the attendees on the use of flexible materials, numerical simulation, and other topics. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Wave Energy Scotland partners visited Kelvin Hydrodynamic Laboratory in June 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Wave Energy Scotland partners visited Kelvin Hydrodynamic Laboratory in June 2022, including two wave tanks and related equipment, as well as a demonstration experiment of the flexible OWC model in the wave tank. In-depth discussions on key issues of flexible wave energy devices, such as PTO, were carried out. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Wave Energy Scotland partners visited Strathclyde University in June 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Wave Energy Scotland partners visited UoS in June 2022. Team members introduced their work on model experiments, material development and numerical simulations to the partners respectively. The partners also introduced the policies and industry situation related to wave energy. Both sides had in-depth exchanges and discussions on topics of mutual interest, such as PTO, and actively sought closer cooperation in the next steps. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Wave Venture Ltd partners visit University of Strathclyde in November 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Wave Venture's partner and team members discussed the issues encountered in the Wave Venture software calculations. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |