Sbir phase II: a nature-based nearshore floating infrastructure solution for coastal adaptation

The National Science Foundation awarded The Emerald Tutu Inc. a $997,503 Cooperative Agreement under the NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships program (CFDA 47.084) to develop a nature-based nearshore floating infrastructure solution for coastal adaptation. The two-year award will support the awardee's efforts to engineer seaworthy floating biomass modules anchored in a hexagonal array and interconnected network. The awardee will conduct unit prototyping and ecological monitoring to develop predictive models of biogeochemical and hydrodynamic impacts. A full-scale experimental network prototype will undergo hydrodynamic analysis. Technical methods for large-scale production and deployment will also be developed. The project aims to demonstrate how an interconnected system of vegetated floating modules can dampen wave energy, improve water quality, and provide community benefits as an alternative to traditional gray infrastructure for coastal protection.

Abstract

The broader impact of this sbir phase II project is to help manage environmental change in coastal cities. Currently, a GAP exists in the coastal infrastructure community for an effective solution that supports ecological health and community-based CO-benefits over traditional gray infrastructure, such as seawalls, berms, or structured fill. This project addresses that GAP through a novel full-scale experimental implementation of a reliable and durable network of floating biomass-based modules for coastal protection. The proposed project develops a dynamic, detail-oriented scientific approach and technical modeling. This project will demonstrate how an interconnected, anchored network of vegetated biomass modules can dampen wave energy, absorb water pollutants, and create an engaging community space for coastal cities. The technical innovations of the proposed sbir phase II project are: (a) a new material engineering approach for seaworthy floating modules based on biomass and living plants, anchored in a hexagonal array and interconnected; (b) a full numerical predictive modeling suite to simulate biogeochemical effects, fluid dynamic network effects, and hydrodynamic effects of large such networks of modules; and (c) a fully functional prototype network to study physical behavior and effects. This project consists of five separate experimental objectives: (1) extensive unit prototyping, redesign and monitoring to assess manufacturer material and biological behavior over time, (2) ecological monitoring of individual unit and network impacts leading to the development of a predictive biogeochemical model, (3) translation of physical wave tank lab results into a predictive coastal environment simulation model, (4) hydrodynamic analysis of a full-scale experimental network prototype, and (5) development of technical methods for production and deployment at scale. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.