Stevens Institute of Technology, along with the University of Michigan and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, have been approved to be founding partners for a new Industry-University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC) by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The IUCRC aims to develop marine energy resources, working closely with industry partners to develop and patent innovations involving wind, wave, and tidal power. The overarching goal of this new initiative is to harness the power of a “blue” economy, which is often overlooked due to the technological, sociological, economic, and environmental barriers that hold back the growth of marine energy.
Blue energy, the main focus of the GO Blue Center, is the generation of renewable energy from marine and aquatic sources. It includes using power from ocean currents and offshore winds which are captured and converted to natural energy that can be used throughout the world. This new center offers a solution for meeting global energy needs while aiding the health of the planet.
Due to the locations of each of the universities involved, the Center will have access to top technical development and premier locations. The University of Michigan, located in the Great Lakes region, possesses facilities and expertise in marine hydrodynamics, naval architecture, and maritime transportation. The university offers the Marine Hydrodynamics Laboratory and 140 years of marine-related research. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is a minority-serving institution located on the Gulf Coast, which adds a new facet to coastal resilience and emerging technologies. Stevens, which will contribute to one of the largest and most respected ocean engineering research facilities in the United States, is located conveniently on the Atlantic coast.
Davidson Laboratory director Muhammad Hajj, a lead investigator for Stevens in the effort and a wave-power innovator, noted that industry partners will have access to all three universities’ laboratories, testing facilities, faculty and student talent, early and royalty-free access to intellectual property, and federal funding and NSF-funded internship programs. This list will include Stevens’ historic Davidson Lab and its cutting-edge wave/towing tank, which has already been used to test models of marine energy converters.
“By working beside esteemed academic institutions, as well as with corporate partners who will bring their industry expertise, we will be able to engage in synergetic high-impact technology development and experiential workforce training, leading to successful technology transfer and commercialization,” Hajj notes.
The GO Blue Center will focus on three primary research areas: developing marine energy technology, powering the blue economy, and assessing the societal, environmental, and economic impacts. The Center is committed to fostering an inclusive workspace by integrating experiential learning and professional development. This includes creating opportunities for students in underrepresented minorities in community outreach and entrepreneurship. The center will also play a crucial role in supporting the economic growth of underserved coastal communities through its research and outreach activities.
Beginning on November 1, 2024, the GO Blue Center will embark on its mission to make a lasting impact on the future of sustainable energy and the vitality of the planet’s oceans and lakes. Initial funding from the NSF will award 2.2 million dollars to the three universities through the Fall of 2029.
Courtesy of the University of Michigan
