Name: Swarm of Energy Harvesting Floaters for the Detection of Vessel threats
Acronym: SHIELD
Funding: NATO SPS
Grant Agreement Number: TBA
Start and end date: 01/03/2025 - 29/01/2028
Coordinator: CNIT - Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Telecomunicazioni
Partners: UNIZG-FER (LABUST), University of Haifa, Newcastle University, The University of British Columbia
Web page: TBA
Abstract
Acoustic detection of vessels or submarines by small low-cost devices arranged in an internet of
underwater things (IoUT) offers distributed sensing with easy deployment from moorings, vessels or
air. A key technology for IoUT is energy harvesting to extend operation time. We identify high potential
in the acoustic ambient noise, reaching 1W of possible renewable energy. We will design novel swarm
of energy efficient IoUT floaters to detect vessels or submarines while extracting energy from
transients of ambient noise by use of a dense array of polymer-based hydrophones, to revolutionize
underwater sensing by doubling operation time for months without charging.