The successful candidate will be involved in a PhD project to develop a small-scale wave powered data buoy. The primary focus of this project is the development of a reliable, efficient and cost-effective power source for marine sensing, based on data buoy movement due to incident waves. Secondary aspects include the integration of the sensor and data transmission systems within the framework of a holistic system that achieves optimal design compromise between power provision, usage, data transmission rates and stability as a sensor platform.
The project will include hydrodynamic modelling, PTO modelling, control system design, optimisation sensor design, data transmission system design, simulation and experimental testing, information dissemination and public engagement.
This project will involve collaboration with Dundalk IT, Techworks Marine, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute and Resolute Marine. 2 to 3 months of every year will be spent in PLOCAN (Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands).
Funding has been provided by the Marine Institute’s Eoin Sweeney Scholarship. In addition to a tax-free stipend of €18,000, PhD fees are fully covered. The project also provides generous funding for equipment, materials and travel (conferences, courses, secondment, etc) and is tenable for a 4-year structured PhD.
Applicants should be well qualified to bachelor’s or master’s degree level in one of the following areas: mechanical/mechatronic engineering, electronic engineering, control engineering. Exceptional students in applied maths or hydrodynamics may be considered.
The project will be supervised by Prof. John Ringwood, who was the recipient of the 2019 Maynooth University Research Supervision Award. Further information on COER is available at: https://coer.maynoothuniversity.ie/.
Continue with Facebook
