First commercial-scale ocean thermal energy generator slated for 2025

In an average day, tropical oceans absorb about 278 petawatt-hours of solar energy. Harvesting just 1/4000th of that energy would supply the entire world’s daily electricity – and ocean thermal energy conversion provides a possible method.Continue Read… Continue reading First commercial-scale ocean thermal energy generator slated for 2025

Study shows barnacles are “getting bent” to evade invasive snails

If an enemy you were previously safe from turned up in your neighborhood, what would you do? That’s a problem currently being faced by barnacles in northern Mexico, which are growing sideways to thwart invasive predatory snails.Continue ReadingCategory… Continue reading Study shows barnacles are “getting bent” to evade invasive snails

I-SMEL device definitely doesn’t stink at collecting marine molecules

You can tell a lot about what’s going on in undersea environments simply by seeing which compounds are being released into the water by marine organisms. An experimental new device could soon make that process quicker and easier than ever before.Contin… Continue reading I-SMEL device definitely doesn’t stink at collecting marine molecules

Undersea UHAB station designed to train astronauts for life on Mars

Space agencies routinely submerge space-suited astronauts in swimming pools, so they can learn to perform tasks in a (sort of) outer-space-like environment. The UHAB is intended to take things further, by simulating the extraterrestrial habitats in whi… Continue reading Undersea UHAB station designed to train astronauts for life on Mars

New neodymium-doped material can fish uranium out of seawater

Since the 1960s, researchers have been turning to an unlikely harvesting ground for uranium: the world’s oceans. Now, an Australian-led team has moved the prospect of sea-based uranium harvesting another step forward with a cheap and easy-to-make mater… Continue reading New neodymium-doped material can fish uranium out of seawater

Solar desal system produces drinkable water quickly without clogging

Researchers have developed a new solar-powered desalination system that produces high amounts of drinkable water and uses a technique inspired by the ocean to avoid the problem of salt clogging. Scaled up, the system could provide enough drinking water… Continue reading Solar desal system produces drinkable water quickly without clogging

Tiny submersible may one day explore ice-covered extraterrestrial oceans

Although Saturn’s moon Enceladus and Jupiter’s moon Europa both have ice-covered surfaces, it is believed that oceans may exist beneath that ice. The TRIPLE-nanoAUV 2 project is aimed at getting an uncrewed submersible into those oceans, to search for … Continue reading Tiny submersible may one day explore ice-covered extraterrestrial oceans

Dead-tree pyramids show promise as quick and easy artificial reefs

Although artificial reefs certainly do help restore damaged marine ecosystems, they’re usually made of heavy manmade materials that must be formed into shape. Now, however, scientists are reporting success using readily-available dead pear trees.Contin… Continue reading Dead-tree pyramids show promise as quick and easy artificial reefs

Patrick Lahey interview part 3: Memorable dives from a remarkable career

In the final part of our extended chat, the CEO and co-founder of Triton Submarines takes us through some highlight dives from an extraordinary career, from salvaging the “smoking gun” from the Challenger space shuttle and filming with James Cameron, t… Continue reading Patrick Lahey interview part 3: Memorable dives from a remarkable career