U Bridgeport Deploys Submarine for Engineering Ed
The University of Bridgeport (UB) is deploying a one-person submarine, dubbed Explorer, for educational purposes.
"The introduction of Explorer to UB's curriculum calls for a reliance on interdisciplinary collaboration and engagement from our entire school of engineering," said Tarek M. Sobh, dean of the school of engineering and senior vice president for graduate studies and research at UB, in a prepared statement. "Our students will be instructed in Explorer's systems, operation and maintenance, as well as the fundamental science surrounding the hostile environment in which the vehicle operates."
On loan for an extended period of time from local inventor Alan Winnick, Explorer will be used by faculty at the university's school of engineering for research and experimentation. Projects for the vehicle include improving thruster performance, modifying control systems, adding remote control and, possibly, adding a robotic arm or other manipulation tool.
"Students across different concentrations will learn how to define, develop and integrate specific instruments based on an individual experiment's requirements or mission plan," added Jani Macari Pallis, associate professor of mechanical engineering, in a prepared statement. "One study may focus on direct observation or investigation of a specific location or unique environment, while another may focus on marine archaeology, environmental monitoring or characterization of an ecosystem."
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Joshua Bolkan is contributing editor for Campus Technology, THE Journal and STEAM Universe. He can be reached at [email protected].