A marine tech company called Seatrec has developed a new version of the Automated Underwater Vehicle that is capable of providing power to the glider underwater. Such an automated underwater vehicle seems quite effective.
Automated underwater vehicles are being used to study the seabed and research ocean currents. However, there are several downsides to using automated underwater vehicles.
Recovering these vehicles after work is quite difficult. Again, there are concerns about toxic battery leaks. Automated underwater vehicles are powered by the use of renewable energy. This method is called ‘phase change material’.
Various materials in the glider can change their physical state when heated or cooled too much. It is filled with hydraulic oil in a rubber tube. Power is supplied to the hydraulic oil through cooling water and hot water depending on the situation.
The entire process is coordinated through the generator. When the glider cools down after warming up, the wax hardens again and simultaneously reduces the pressure on the tube.
This allows the oil to flow back into the interior. Rutgers University is located in New Jersey, USA. More detailed tests of the glider will be conducted there later this year.
The Seatrec glider will be operated through various stages depending on the conditions. The research will also help to understand how the underwater performance of the vehicle will be. If this system is successful, researchers will save a lot of money and time. Also it will be possible to reduce the number of toxic batteries in the sea.