Michigan Technological University – MTU Wave
Capabilities include:
- Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling
- Control Systems engineering support
- Indoor wave tank or basin testing
- Power-take-off testing
- WEC hydrodynamics
Description
MTU Wave is a 10m x 3m x 1m Edinburgh Designs wave tank that uses eight independently controlled paddles generating custom wave fields that propagate towards a 3 m long curved HDPE plastic beach. A glass wall spans the tank length, allowing observation and imaging of underwater experiments. MTU Wave has a range of time-synchronized instrumentation, including camera-based motion tracking, wave gauges, a dSPACE MicroLabBox for data acquisition and control system implementation, and a buoy dynamometer for applying motion while measuring forces on submerged bodies.
MTU Wave has ready access to several plastic 3D printers (VAT polymerization, material jetting, and Fused Deposition Modeling), a newly commissioned 3D Systems DMP Flex 350 metal printer, and a complete machine shop for buoy and fixture fabrication.
Our research group focuses on wave energy converter (WEC) modeling, simulation, control, and experiments. Projects have concentrated on nonlinear control strategies and harmonizing energy capture and grid integration control objectives.
Capabilities include:
- Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling
- Control Systems engineering support
- Indoor wave tank or basin testing
- Power-take-off testing
- WEC hydrodynamics
Tank dimensions:
Length: 10.0m, Width: 3.0m, Height: 1.5m
Max depth: 1.0m
Point of Contact:
Gordon Parker – ggparker@mtu.edu
