RESEARCH FIELDS

The research is multidisciplinary and encompasses areas of particular technological innovation. This adds an all-important basic research component to this effort, while at the same time there is a strong connection to the basic principles of a productive end-result. Below some of the technological challenges involved and possible routes that the research could propose to face them are briefly outlined:

o Energy source and propulsion. In an autonomous miniature sea-going unit, traditional technologies may often be non-applicable. In order to reach a fully autonomous state, various technologies should be considered, including sea wave energy production or acoustically driven momentum jets.

o Sensors, electronics and Artificial Intelligence. The units should navigate independently, by continuously monitoring the oil-saturated sea surface and by estimating concentration gradients, optimal routes etc. Techniques from sensor array technology and fuzzy logic can offer solutions to the host of technical issues involved;

o Vessel design. The EU-MOP project is to present a parameterized range of the developed design concept in order to assure adequate performance and confrontation capabilities concerning the predefined oil spill scenarios;

o Robotics. The EU-MOP concept involve certain issues and topics that are addressed with features of robotics; more specifically, an efficient solution lies with swarm tactics where the collective performance of many small units present a coordinated and dynamically evolving group that is in position to conclude each selected task with remarkable records;

o Oil processing. The units, during their traversal of the oil spill surface, may realize a catalytic reaction and neutralize the oil, a process very similar to bio-remediation. Realizing efficient processing in small scales imposes new problems, in terms of adequate contact surfaces, mixing etc., areas where strong research activity is expected. The term 'oil processing' might include actions such as collection, dispersion, cleanup and possible storage;

• Environmental efficiency and friendliness. The EU-MOPs represent the first ever versatile, efficient, manageable and all-weather technique to combat oil spills. They carry no side effects, no dangerous materials on-board and no possibility of harmful action. They may be disposable, since they are expected to be cheap;
  
  
• Oil pollution emergency (crisis) management. The project formulates an advanced approach for spill management issues for both the strategic and the tactical level (confrontation, strategic survey, logistics etc). Thus it presents an integrated solution-chain concerning the overall framework for the mobilization and application of anti-pollution means and in particular of the EU-MOPs in the context of oil confronting efforts and of a coordinated management synthesis. In this way, the administration of marine systems will acquire a realistic and efficient structure ensuring the best possible protection of the marine and coastal environment;
  
  
• Industrial appeal. The envisioned units will be designed and assessed (proof of concept), assembled from inexpensive materials. This surely makes them, in the long run, an appealing challenge for the industry, since they will be efficient, patentable, and will allow for an adequate profit margin.

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