Air-deployed wave buoys for hurricane forecast improvements
UW Applied Physics Laboratory; 2021 to present
As part of the NOPP Hurricane Coastal Impacts (NHCI) project, our team air deploys small, drifting buoys ahead of landfalling hurricanes to obtain observations of extreme waves at the ocean's surface. We work closely with the Navy's Scientific Development Squadron (VXS-1) to conduct rapid response deployments from an NP-3C airplane. This project is a primary focus of my doctoral work at the University of Washington; I help to develop one of our team's buoy types, the microSWIFT, and routinely fly with VXS-1 to deploy. Learn more at nopphurricane.sofarocean.com/.
Updates:
- NHCI highlighted in a White House press release
- UW-developed wave sensors deployed to improve hurricane forecasts
- Buoy observations obtained in Hurricane Ian
- Successful air deployment of buoys with NRL partnership ahead of Hurricane Ian
- Jacob Davis, Isabel Houghton, Jim Thomson, Pieter Smit, Gijs de Boer, Elizabeth Thompson, Tim Janssen, Chris Fairall. "Distributed sampling of hurricane waves." presented at Ocean Sciences Meeting. Online. February, 2022.
Persistent measurements of surface waves in landfast ice using fiber optic telecommunication cables
UW Applied Physics Laboratory; 2022 to present
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microSWIFT wave buoy development
UW Applied Physics Laboratory; 2021 to present
Description
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Oscillating surge wave energy converters
University of Massachusetts Amherst;
in collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Lab
2020 to 2021
A fundamental theoretical and experimental study of the dynamics of an oscillating surge wave energy converter. Here I led the design and fabrication of the scale model, instrumentation selection, wave tank experiments, and subsequent modeling and analysis.
Related Citations:
- Nhu Nguyen, Jacob Davis, Krish Thiagarajan,Nathan Tom, Cole Burge. “Optimizing power generation of a bottom-raised oscillating surge wave energy converter using a theoretical model.” Proceedings of the 14th European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference, Plymouth, UK, September 2021
- Jacob Davis, "Design and Testing of a Foundation Raised Oscillating Surge Wave Energy Converter." University of Massachusetts Amherst Masters Theses, September 2021
Variable geometry wave energy converters
University of Massachusetts Amherst;
in collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Lab
2020 to 2021
We developed and tested an experimental-scale oscillating surge wave energy converter which employs variable geometry modules to control the governing hydrodynamics of the body. As the lead graduate student, I was responsible for the design and fabrication, instrumentation selection, wave tank experiments, and subsequent modeling and analysis.
Related Citations:
- A Window Into the Future of Wave Energy: Award Helps Move Cost-Effective, Productive, Robust Wave Energy Design a Step Closer to Commercialization and Widespread Use - Caitlin McDermott-Murphy
- Cole Burge, Nathan Tom, Krish Thiagarajan, Jacob Davis, Nhu Nguyen. “Performance modeling of a variable-geometry oscillating surge wave energy converter on a raised foundation.” Proceedings of the ASME 2021 40th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering, Virtual, June 2021
- Michael Choiniere, Jacob Davis, Nhu Nguyen, Nathan Tom, Matthew Fowler, Krish Sharman. “Hydrodynamics and load shedding behavior of a variable geometry Oscillating Surge Wave Energy Converter (OSWEC).” Under Review. July 2021
Wave-current laboratory development
University of Massachusetts Amherst; 2019 to 2021
Lead role in the planning and development of the ORRE wave-current facility, including the mechanical and structural design of an 11-meter long, 5000-gallon recirculating wave-current flume. Directly involved in instrumentation selection, lab assembly, and data acquisition hardware setup.
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