Discovery

SCRAP Project Update

By Jake Hvistendahl Assignment 6.2

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Biologic Strategies Discovery Phase

This document outlines discoveries made in the natural world with relation to the main function of the Swarming Collection Robots for Aquatic Purification (SCRAP) design that is being carried out on behalf of the Clean Ocean Project. The SCRAP design project aims to create a collection of interconnected drones that filter suspended plastic particles from the oceans in areas where these plastics are in high concentrations. The main function of the drones is to separate plastics, from 5mm and up in size, from ocean waters with minimal damage to biologic entities. The following natural strategies for filtering suspended solids were found at asknature.org, and will be used as models for designing the filtering system for the drones.

Baleen Plates
Natural Strategy: Filter feeding whales, like the Bowhead (at left), use specialized baleen plates to sift small prey from the water. The Baleen is made from the same material as horn and fingernails. Fringed edges of the plates interlock when water is forced through them, briefly creating a net like structure. Emulating this strategy: Create a rake like sieve similar to whales baleen, that can be pushed through the water to trap plastics. The rake edges will be frayed so that they tangle when water pushes against them, allowing them to capture smaller plastic debris. A counter rake can move backwards through the main rake to transport the plastics to a holding tank and detangle the main rake edges.

Scanning Current
Natural Strategy: Some filter feeding marine copepods (themselves food for larger filter feeders) create a small current with their appendages called a scanning current. When food is pulled into and detected in this current, bristled and barbed appendages quickly suck in, surround, and filter out the food particle. Emulating this Strategy: Use an active capture system, where the entrance to a filtering system channel is only opened when plastic debris is detected. This would help prevent accidental capture of marine animals. Use a pump to increase water flow passing through the sensors and the filter.

Mucus Filter
Natural Strategy: Marine Salps are able to filter some of the smallest biologic creatures from water due to the use of mucus. The Salps excrete a mucus over their filtering mesh that effectively capture particles smaller than the holes in the mesh. They also use a pumping motion to keep a very calm current moving through the filter, which aids the mucus capture strategy. Emulating this strategy: Spread a glue or binder on the filter that only sticks to and possibly attracts plastics. This would allow for larger filtering holes, which may be easier to manufacture and more robust than a very fine mesh would be.