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Ocean Plastic Project

To combat ocean plastic pollution, we designed two autonomous drones. The first one collects macroplastics on the ocean surface, whereas the second one collects microplastics that sink below the surface.

Prototype 1 - C.A.M.D.

In the summer of 2020, the Cypol research team started to tackle the issue of ocean plastic pollution. After researching the problem, they brainstormed a solution to help collect the vast amounts of plastic stuck in ocean gyres, like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. This innovation became the Cypol Autonomous Marine Drone , or C.A.M.D.

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How It Works

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NIR Detection

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The CAMD actively searches for ocean plastic by using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. First, the drone emits NIR light via laser diodes. Then it detects the wavelengths of light that are reflected back to the drone. Based on this information, it can determine if plastic is present because plastic reflects NIR light differently from water and other objects.

Collection and Storage

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Once plastic has been located, the drone’s automated steering system will use the outboard motors to rotate CAMD, directing the conveyor belt towards the plastic. The conveyor belt will start rotating near the detected plastic, scooping it from the water’s surface and bringing it to the water-filtering collection bag located in the drone’s rear.

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Conrad Challenge

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Physical Model & Video Pitch

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In the final stages of the challenge, the Conrad team built a miniature model of the CAMD, which became a proof of concept. This model used red laser diodes and a GoPro camera to determine whether plastic, seaweed, or nothing was in its immediate surroundings. Lastly, the team created a video that described their product, business plan, and future goals; this video is linked below.

Business Plan

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After designing the CAMD, the Cypol research team entered the Conrad Challenge. As part of this challenge, they wrote a business plan to describe their strategy for introducing CAMD into the market. The full business plan is linked below.

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Results

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The Cypol research team became Conrad Innovators within the Oceans: The Plastic Pollution Problem category!

Prototype 2 - Mini AUV

After competing in the Conrad Challenge, two members of the research team, Brandon and Darson, worked on solving one of CAMD’s main limitations: the inability to collect microplastics. As a result, they designed a smaller, more mobile drone that could function underwater and collect sinking microplastics. This new innovation became a miniature autonomous underwater vehicle, or mini AUV.

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How It Works

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Part 1: Collecting Microplastics

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In the AUV, a pipe opens to allow micro-objects (e.g. plastics and algae) from the ocean to come into the drone. The filter paper lets water pass through while it retains the micro-objects. A motor then pushes the micro-objects to the conveyor belt while a servo on top of the drone closes the pipe to block water from entering.

Part 2: Detection and Filtration

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Once the micro-objects are pushed onto the conveyor belt, the belt moves them under the spectrometer to be scanned. The scan determines whether there are enough microplastics to retain the sample. If there aren’t enough, then the conveyor belt reverses and removes the sample from the drone. If there are enough, then the sample will be dropped into a storage container.

Terra NYC Stem Fair

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Research Experiment & Paper

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In the experiment, they used a NIR spectrometer to scan varying sizes of kombu (edible kelp) and microplastics. From this, they predicted the mass composition (e.g. 50% kombu, 50% plastics) of a given sample. In particular, they compared the NIR readings from an unknown sample to stored NIR readings from samples of known concentrations. To determine which two readings were the closest, they used a least sum of squares algorithm. The full research paper is linked below.

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NIR Research

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After designing the mini AUV, Brandon and Darson entered the Terra NYC Stem Fair. As part of this event, they designed and implemented a research experiment to evaluate the effectiveness of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy in determining the concentration of microplastics within a sample.

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Results

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Brandon and Darson got Third Place in the Software & Robotics category!

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