“Tensegrity” – space technology in the ocean
Trondheim’s marine scientists are taking new paths. In their search for better solutions for the aquaculture, fishing and offshore industries, researchers are about to adopt a design principle that saves on materials and is widely used by the space sector.
 |
 |
This fascinating toy is based on the design principle known as “Tensegity”.
Photo: Svein Tønseth |
Nature too utilises the “architecture” on which NTNU and SINTEF’s marine research groups are currently focusing.
Plants and satellites
This is a design principle known as “Tensegrity”, that enables plants to bend with the wind without breaking, and allows them to return to their original shape afterwards.
The space sector utilises the same principle in the design of satellite antennae, which are folded up before launch and are unfolded once they are in space. Thanks to their flexibility they do not break up when they are exposed to the vibrations that occur as satellites pass in and out of the shadow of the Sun.
From space to the sea
The ambition of NTNU and SINTEF is to utilise this type of construction at sea, via the IntelliSTRUCT project which is being financed by the Research Council of Norway.
The aim is to lay the foundations for a new generation of sea-cages, trawls, vessel hulls and platforms. The researchers envision slender, intelligent structures that adapt to wave loads instead of fighting them.
Visiting American “guru”
The Trondheim scientists have called in the American professor Robert E. Skelton from the University of California to help them. Professor Skelton is the invited speaker at a mini-course and workshop which was being held in Trondheim from June 6 - 8.
Skelton has “guru” status in the field of Tensegrity structures. His background is in the space industry, where he was involved in the development of the Skylab space station.
Smart sea-cages
One of the aims of the Trondheim scientists is to develop “smart” sea-cages for fish farming. They are already thinking of the challenges that await the aquaculture industry when it has to venture into the open sea in order to find enough room to expand.
Sea-cages for use at sea will need to be able to withstand all sorts of weather. Traditionally, designers have enabled marine structures to withstand loads by making them strong. Smart structures represent a different philosophy of design, one that prefers adaptation and cooperation to raw strength.
Change of shape
If necessary, a smart aquaculture sea-cage will change its own shape, so that it reduces the cross-sectional area that it presents to the waves. If there is little current and thus relatively little oxygen available to the fish, it will increase the area turned towards the direction of the waves.
“Tensegrity” is one of several principles that the Trondheim scientists will be trying out in their attempts to develop such flexible structures.
Contact:
Vegar Johansen, phone: +47 91882170, e-mail:
By Svein Tønseth
