Engineering the Future of Maritime Maintenance

Project Genesis and Functional Requirements

The journey of the CRABI project began with diving deep into existing literature to understand the intricate challenges of biofouling and its economic and environmental impacts on the shipping industry. We meticulously catalogued the requirements for an effective cleaning system that could operate in a harsh marine environment. My role involved synthesizing information to define clear, actionable goals for the project, such as the need for an autonomous operation and minimal drag increase, which would guide our design principles moving forward.

Innovative Conceptualization

The heart of innovation for CRABI lay in conceptualizing a design that could navigate the complex topology of a ship's hull. My contributions were documented in an engineering notebook, which became a living record of our evolving ideas. Within this notebook, I sketched initial designs, noted down brainstorming sessions, and kept a meticulous log of discussions and iterations, ensuring that creativity was anchored by practical feasibility.

Strategic Planning and Team Dynamics

As the CRABI project advanced, I embraced greater responsibility, particularly in strategic planning and team management. My evolution within the team was marked by a transition to the role of hydropackage sub-team leader during our second semester, as our team grew bigger. This position carried the weight of coordinating design efforts, managing timelines, and ensuring our subsystem integrated flawlessly with the overarching project goals. In leading this sub-team, I honed my leadership skills, learning to delegate effectively, communicate technical concepts clearly, and maintain a focused vision to drive our project toward successful completion.

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Analysis

My focus shifted to simulation, where I was tasked with running CFD to predict how our design would behave under real-world conditions. This involved setting up the simulation parameters, interpreting the results, and iterating on the design to improve performance; all within a new software fo me, Ansys Fluent. It was a process that honed my analytical skills, as I learned to translate numerical data into actionable design improvements.

Prototyping and Empirical Testing

The transition from theory to reality was marked by the prototyping phase. Here, I was involved in 3D printing initial prototypes, setting up test rigs, and conducting empirical tests with my subteam. Each test was an opportunity to learn and refine, and I was at the forefront, troubleshooting issues, analyzing performance, and making adjustments to enhance the prototype's functionality.​

Final Design Realization and Project Showcase

As the project neared its conclusion, the team advanced into the fabrication of an advanced prototype. Bringing all of our design work to life truly stood as a testament to our year-long effort. The culmination of this journey was the project showcase, where we proudly presented our work, articulating the challenges we overcame, and the potential impact of CRABI on the shipping industry. This final phase was a harmonious blend of technical prowess and leadership, marking the successful conclusion of a project that had grown from a mere concept to a tangible innovation with real-world applicability.

Discover the White Paper

Dive into the comprehensive narrative of the CRABI project by downloading our white paper. Authored by Juliana Green, Diane Li, Andrew Lin, Sophie Longawa, Trinity Stallins, Keeghan Patrick, Henry Sobieszczyk, Gazi Sakib, Levi Gershon, and myself, this document provides a detailed account of our collective efforts to innovate marine maintenance. Gain insights into the challenges we faced, the solutions we engineered, and the impact of our work on the future of shipping efficiency.